Ducati's four-year MotoGP podium streak ends in nightmare Thai GP
A terrible day for Ducati at Buriram brought an end to one of MotoGP's most impressive streaks
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Photo by: Qian Jun / MB Media via Getty Images
The era of Ducati domination in MotoGP looks under fire more than ever after the Borgo Panigale manufacturer's run of podiums finally came to an end at the Thai Grand Prix on Sunday.
Marco Bezzecchi's victory for Aprilia, ahead of Pedro Acosta (KTM) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia), meant there was no Ducati on the rostrum for the first time since the 2021 British Grand Prix.
After Marc Marquez picked up a puncture whilst running fourth, Ducati's best finisher at Buriram was Fabio di Giannantonio, who took sixth place for VR46.
That 2021 race at Silverstone had three different manufacturers on the podium, with Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins and Aleix Espargaro representing Yamaha, Suzuki and Aprilia respectively.
Few could have imagined that day that it would be well over four years before the next podium without a Ducati rider on at least one of the steps. Ducati won the next four riders' championships thanks to Pecco Bagnaia (2022 & 2023), Jorge Martin (2024) and Marc Marquez (2025).
Numerous sweeps underlined Ducati's dominance during this period. In Australia in 2024, Marquez led a six-bike train of Ducatis across the line at Phillip Island. Marquez also headed a five-Ducati sweep in Argentina in 2025 - but such peaks have not been repeated since.
The podium finishers at Silverstone in 2021 - not a Ducati rider in sight
Photo by: Dorna
Ducati had its last four-bike lockout at Mugello last season, and its most recent podium sweep came in Germany last year. Continuing its run of podiums was looking ever more tenuous as the competition – particularly Italian rival Aprilia – began to pose a serious threat.
The run almost came to an end at last year's Valencia finale, but Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) kept it alive by moving into third place with just two laps to go.
While Ducati has much to think about following its disappointing weekend in Thailand, Aprilia has extra cause to celebrate as Bezzecchi's win represented the third in a row for the Noale manufacturer. The Italian began that run with his victories in Portugal and Valencia at the back end of last season.
Photos from Thailand GP - Sunday
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
Thailand GP - Sunday, in photos
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.- The Motorsport.com Team
Share Or Save This Story
Five things we learned at the MotoGP Thai GP
Jorge Martin: Marco Bezzecchi was "on another level" at Thai GP
Ai Ogura rues missed chance at Thai GP: 'I'm surprised how s*** I was'
Latest news
NASCAR, Goodyear and Ryan Blaney get a win in Phoenix
Complete 2026 NASCAR Cup championship standings after Phoenix I
Joey Logano takes responsibility for violent restart crash after 'rough day'
Ryan Blaney completes Penske sweep as wreck-fest ties NASCAR Phoenix Cup caution record
Feature
Where MotoGP’s penalty system still lacks clarity
Five things we learned at the MotoGP Thai GP
Five MotoGP riders who need a big 2026 season
What we learned from the Thailand MotoGP test
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Top Comments