Marc Marquez identifies “my bike and my team” as his greatest assets in the 2026 MotoGP championship fight, cautioning that the final seven races will be closely contested. The Ducati rider claimed the championship lead for the first time this season after winning the San Marino Grand Prix, successfully overcoming a 102-point deficit since the Italian Grand Prix in May.
However, following a second-place finish in the sprint and a fifth place in the main race at Austria last weekend, Marquez now trails Aprilia’s Jorge Martin by 12 points. Recently, details have emerged about the severity of Marquez’s ongoing right shoulder problem, with his surgeon revealing the arm is functioning at only 50% capacity.
When asked what his biggest advantage will be during the closing races, Marquez emphasized, “My bike and my team,” dismissing his talent or experience as the main factors. He views the top four riders in the championship as serious contenders, including fourth-placed Pedro Acosta, who despite being 72 points behind, claimed victory in Austria.
“Those top four guys are prepared to battle for the title,” Marquez said, noting the improvements KTM has made to their engines since Silverstone, which have restored their competitive power. Ducati is also expected to perform strongly in Japan, where the track layout and a return to Michelin’s standard rear tires should benefit the Desmosedici.
Still, Marquez believes that after his success at Austria, Acosta stands as the favorite heading into Motegi. “Pedro has always been extremely fast at Motegi. In his debut year, he was quick but crashed while leading the sprint and then again in the main race while fighting for victory. Last year, he was also very fast. So, let’s see—the top four riders will make the last seven races very tight.”
Fan Take: This update on Marquez’s resilience and dependence on his Ducati and team highlights just how critical teamwork and machinery are in MotoGP’s title run. Racing fans should brace for an intense, strategic showdown in the season’s final races that could redefine the championship narrative.
Source: www.crash.net
