The Spanish rider and current MotoGP world champion, Marc Márquez (Ducati), assured this Thursday that he faces the Thai Grand Prix with optimism, the opening event of the 2026 World Championship, and has stressed that, despite the physical difficulties experienced in the preseason, the objective is clear and is none other than to try to retain the title.
“If you ride the red Ducati, the goal is to fight for the championship,” he said at the official press conference prior to the start of the course. “On a technical level we have improved and especially on the last day here in Thailand we began to take good steps in the direction that I wanted, starting to feel better and better,” he said.
Although he also acknowledged that his recovery process, after missing the end of last season due to injury, has conditioned the winter and his preseason. “It has made this preseason a little more difficult to be precise in the comments and always ride the same way,” he admitted.
In this sense, he pointed out that the training sessions are more physically demanding than a race weekend. “The tests are always harder at the level of physical condition than a Grand Prix. It’s ‘stop and go’, you have to be connected for six hours straight and it’s very demanding,” he said, while hoping to “start well” in Thailand and see where he is compared to his rivals, among whom he cited the fastest in Sepang and on the Thai track itself.
Defending the title, “every year, more difficult”
Regarding the defense of the title, Márquez assumed that each season he raises the bar. “Every year it gets harder and harder, it is impossible to be the fastest driver in all the sessions and in all the tasks,” he reflected. For this reason, he made it a priority to “find good consistency throughout the calendar on the different circuits” and to grow especially in the first appointments.
The nine-time world champion, seven in MotoGP, recalled that last year was a personal test. “Last year was a demonstration to myself that I was fast again and fast enough to be able to fight for the title. And it was like that, because I have achieved it,” he stressed.
However, the injury suffered in Indonesia again affected his right shoulder. “At first it seemed easy, but it has not been easy, it has taken time and the fact that it is the right shoulder again makes it require even more time,” he explained, still not knowing “what one hundred percent” of his arm will be.
“I can’t ride the bike like last year”
On a technical level, he revealed that he has partially opted for the 2024 aerodynamics to better adapt to his physical condition. “I have taken a step back from aerodynamics because I can’t ride the bike the same way I did last year.. The 2025 race was a little harder and more physically demanding,” he said. “I’m trying to adapt my riding style to my current condition. “One of my abilities is adaptability and I am going to try to adapt to this situation until I feel more prepared,” he added.
Questioned about his contractual future, the Catalan insisted that his priority is to perform at his best. “Being a MotoGP rider means that that has to be your priority 100%. When I’m injured or I’m not in a good moment I don’t have to make a decision, even if it’s to sign a contract with Ducati. We’re on a good path, both parties are very closebut I have asked to wait for the tests to see how I feel. I have optimism for the future and I feel super happy with Ducati, and I hope Ducati also with me,” he stressed.
Finally, he warned of the growing competition on the grid. “This is a competition and every year the factories and the riders raise the bar. Ducati was already at a very high level and improving is more difficult, we try to do it in small details,” he commented, before warning that he expects “a very strong Ducati” and also “especially a very strong Aprilia, which ended the year very well last season.”
