Why three MotoGP & WorldSBK riders aren't racing at World Ducati Week

The Race of Champions at World Ducati Week will feature fewer headline Ducati riders than usual, with three MotoGP and WorldSBK competitors missing this weekend. The event, held twice per year, last saw Francesco Bagnaia win in 2024 while Marc Marquez collided with Nicolo Bulega on the final corner. For this year’s Race of Champions, Bagnaia, Marquez, and Bulega are entered, but Iker Lecuona will not race after his wife recently gave birth. Lecuona plans to return to family time before traveling to the next WorldSBK round at Donington on 10–12 July. Two Gresini Racing MotoGP riders are also absent: Fermin Aldeguer is ruled out after a vertebra fracture in practice at the Dutch Grand Prix (26–28 June), and Alex Marquez will skip Misano following a crash that caused heavy abrasions on his right arm. The Race of Champions is scheduled for Sunday, 5 July, starting at 12:40 local time.