Alex Marquez will be upgraded to a factory-specification Ducati GP26 for the 2025 MotoGP World Championship as the Italian firm plots a return to a four-strong works effort.

While his brother Marc Marquez has dominated the headlines this season as he gallops towards the 2025 MotoGP title in his first season as a factory Ducati rider, the performance of Alex Marquez has nonetheless also been one of the year’s standout tales.

Indeed, for the most part Alex has been his sibling’s closest rival - both in terms of points and performance - to put himself well on course for a career-best runners-up spot in this year’s standings.

As a result, Ducati have responded in kind to his results by confirming he will get to ride the same Ducati GP26 as factory performers Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, albeit still within the satellite Gresini Racing fold.

“It’s an honour to be racing on a factory bike with Team Gresini,” says Alex Marquez. “The team has been working impeccably for a few seasons now, and I believe this is a reward for everyone — for myself and the whole team. 

“This is another step forward towards our dreams and doing even better in 2026. I’d like to thank Nadia [Padovani, Team Owner], the team, and of course Gigi and Ducati, who have made me feel important at every moment.”

It marks the first time Gresini Racing has been given use of a factory-spec bike since joining the Ducati fold in 2022.

“This is news of great importance for Gresini Racing. I would like to thank Ducati and Eng. Dall’Igna for the trust placed in Alex and in our team,” said Team Owner Nadia Padovani. 

“The results achieved this year, and in previous seasons, have led us to reach this great milestone. We are happy that Alex, starting next year, will ride with a factory bike. 

“As a team, we are ready to take another step toward excellence. 2025 will be an unforgettable year, and we already like 2026 a lot.”

It is understood Marquez’s GP26 will be one of four on the grid for 2026 with VR46 Racing’s Fabio di Giannantonio set to retain his supply.  

Marquez made his MotoGP debut in 2020 on the back of winning the Moto2 World Championship the previous year, being signed as a last minute replacement for Jorge Lorenzo at champion’s Repsol Honda after the Spaniard unexpectedly retired at the end of the season.

After three trying seasons on Honda machinery that yielded just two podiums, Marquez saw an upturn in form upon switching to Gresini and Ducati machinery in 2023.

However, he has come of age in 2025 especially, notching up nine podiums, including his first two full-length grand prix wins achieved on home soil in Jerez and Barcelona. He has also managed 12 Sprint Race podiums this season, including a victory at Silverstone.