300hp, 20,000rpm: Riding Marc Márquez’s Ducati GP26
A journalist recounts the experience of testing high-performance Ducati motorcycles at the Misano World Circuit. The process involved rigorous medical and technical assessments to ensure riders were prepared for the extreme power of the GP26.
Why it matters
This provides insight into the extreme engineering and safety protocols required for professional-grade motorsport vehicles.
Adam Child has raced at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200, but nothing prepared him for the opportunity to ride Nicolò Bulega’s factory WorldSBK Ducati V4 R and Marc Márquez’s near-300hp Ducati GP26 MotoGP bike at Misano.
Nothing to see here – just Chad sitting on a MotoGP bike chatting to former world champ Casey Stoner … It feels strange arriving at World Ducati Week on the Sunday, just as the festivities are winding down. The crowds at the Misano World Circuit on Italy’s scorching Adriatic coast are beginning to ebb away and the teams are packing up after a busy weekend. For most, Ducati’s sun-soaked 100th anniversary fiesta is over.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in