Marc Márquez left Australia with a 10-point advantage, but Ducati Team Manager Davide Tardozzi does not regard the title position as secure. In an interview published on MotoGP's official website, he focused on the remaining circuits, Jorge Martín's injury and Marco Bezzecchi's continuing opportunity to close the gap. Ducati has the points lead, but its ability to maintain race-winning pace over the final four rounds still needs to be tested event by event.
Australia changes the championship leader, with no further gain on Sunday
Marc Márquez arrived at Phillip Island two points behind Martín. In Saturday's Sprint, the pair fought directly for the lead before Martín crashed at Turn 8 on lap eight. He was subsequently diagnosed with a non-displaced distal radius fracture. Marc Márquez won the Sprint, turning the deficit into a 10-point lead. Martín's participation in the next round in Malaysia has yet to be confirmed.
Sunday's Grand Prix was then canceled because visibility affected the medical helicopter's ability to fly, leaving the gap at 10 points through the end of the weekend. Tardozzi felt Ducati had lost an opportunity to extend its advantage, but emphasized that rider safety came first.
Tardozzi did not regard the battle before the crash as settled
Discussing Saturday's direct contest, Tardozzi acknowledged that Martín had been highly competitive. He could not be certain whether Marc Márquez would have beaten his rival had Martín stayed on the bike; in his view, their fight could have continued to the finish. That assessment also explains why one Sprint win has not prompted the Ducati team manager to underestimate Aprilia.
Tardozzi was equally cautious about the remaining calendar. He believes three of the next four rounds will suit Aprilia better, with Ducati potentially faster at the other. That is his assessment ahead of those races. He also praised Marc Márquez's approach in the Australian Sprint, saying the rider was managing the race and thinking about the situation, and expressing confidence that even stronger performances would follow.
Tardozzi has not ruled out Bezzecchi either. Now 50 points off the lead, Bezzecchi has the potential to win the remaining races, in Tardozzi's view. As for Martín, Tardozzi said his competitiveness would need to be assessed through his performances at Sepang and in Qatar. Whether Martín can race in Malaysia is the prerequisite for judging those subsequent performances.
INKA SPORTS analysis: A points lead still requires a circuit-by-circuit comparison of pace
Two specific events combined to alter the title picture in Australia: Martín dropped out of the Sprint battle and Marc Márquez won; Sunday's cancellation then removed the opportunity for either rider to change the gap further. The 10-point advantage therefore accurately describes the championship position, but does not establish that Ducati has surpassed Aprilia on pace. Tardozzi's assessment of Martín before the crash is a reminder to preserve that distinction.
For Ducati, Martín's injury has not removed all of the competition. Bezzecchi can still challenge at the front for Aprilia, and Tardozzi believes most of the remaining circuits favor that rival. Marc Márquez must contend both with his direct title rival's recovery and availability and with the other Aprilia rider's performances on track. Focusing only on whether Martín can race would overlook that competitive pressure.
Conclusion
Marc Márquez has moved from pursuer to championship leader, yet Ducati is preparing for the final four rounds as a close title contest. Sepang must first establish whether Martín can compete and, if he does, at what level. Only then can Tardozzi's assessment of circuit suitability be tested. The advantage Australia delivered for Marc Márquez is real; retaining it will still require results in direct competition with Aprilia.
