Ducati has revealed its new MotoGP race colours for the 2026 season as Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia prepare to defend the brand’s winning record. The new Desmosedici GP26 features white stripes and a darker shade of red to celebrate Ducati’s 100th anniversary year. It was presented to the public during a team launch in Madonna di Campiglio in the Italian Dolomites.

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said the design was inspired by colours from the company’s past and added that, despite great results, every new season always begins from zero.

Ducati has dominated MotoGP in recent years, winning the riders’ world championship for four seasons in a row. Bagnaia claimed the titles in 2022 and 2023, Jorge Martin followed in 2024, and Marquez added another crown in 2025. Ducati riders have now achieved 88 consecutive podium finishes, a record that shows the strength and consistency of the Italian manufacturer.

Marquez enjoyed a stunning first season with the factory Ducati team in 2025 after waiting five years to win another MotoGP title. He took 11 Grand Prix victories and 14 Sprint wins from 18 race weekends, confirming that he was back at his best. He secured the championship in emotional scenes at Motegi, but his celebrations were short-lived. One week later, he suffered a serious right shoulder injury at Mandalika after being hit by Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi.

The injury forced Marquez to miss the final four races of the season and the important Valencia post-season test. After surgery and a careful recovery, he is now focused on returning fully fit.

With seven premier-class world titles, Marquez is now level with Valentino Rossi and only one title behind the all-time record of eight held by Giacomo Agostini. The 2026 season gives him a chance to reach that historic number.

For Bagnaia, 2025 was much more difficult. He struggled with braking and corner entry on the GP25, which stopped him from fighting Marquez for the championship. His performances were often inconsistent, with strong results followed by races outside the points, and he eventually finished fifth in the riders’ standings. Over the winter, Ducati has worked hard to understand and solve these problems, and many fans are waiting to see if Bagnaia can return to his best form.

The 2026 season is also important because it is the final year of the 1000cc engine rules and Michelin tyres. From 2027, MotoGP will move to 850cc engines and Pirelli tyres. To reduce costs, Ducati, Aprilia and KTM have had their engine designs frozen since the start of 2025, while Honda joins this freeze in 2026 after moving up in the concession system. Yamaha is the only manufacturer still allowed to fully develop its engine during the season, as it continues work on its new V4 project.

Marquez and Bagnaia will ride their new Ducati colours for the first time during the Sepang test from February 3 to 5. This will be Marquez’s first MotoGP action since his injury. A second pre-season test will then take place at Buriram in Thailand before the new season begins on the weekend of February 27 to March 1.

Both Ducati riders are currently out of contract at the end of the season, which adds extra tension and interest to their performances.

Ducati Lenovo was the fourth MotoGP team to reveal its 2026 livery after Pramac, VR46 and Aprilia, while Monster Yamaha will launch its factory colours next in Jakarta. With Marquez chasing history and Bagnaia aiming for a comeback, Ducati enters the new season determined to remain the team to beat.