Marquez is not at his best
Against such a strong Aprilia, capable of winning the first three races of 2026 with Marco Bezzecchi leading from the first to the last lap, Ducati needs the best Marc Marquez more than ever.
But the nine-time Spanish world champion has not yet fully recovered from the Mandalika accident on October 5th, as explained by team manager Davide Tardozzi in Austin.
Read more Tardozzi: “We expect something from the engineers, Dall’Igna is the first to not be happy”
Five months after the injury to his right shoulder, Marquez is still struggling and will now have three weeks without races to try to improve his physical condition.
Seeing him in ‘his’ Austin unable to make a difference has set off more than one alarm bell for his fans, who do not hide being alarmed by their idol’s words about his state of health.
A slow physical recovery
To the microphones of Dazn Spain, Marc Marquez admitted with great honesty: “I have to find my new 100%. After an injury, you always have to find the new limit and I feel that I need to improve, more than the bike. I have to understand how to improve in the first laps, but I don’t feel comfortable on the bike. I feel like I’m in an unnatural position. Riding I’m fast, but I can’t make a difference. The first laps are the ones where I suffer the most physically. Everything becomes more aggressive and I need extra strength that I don’t have.”
Read more Mir: “Zero regrets for the crashes, I give 150%”
Although the world championship is only at the beginning – three GPs held out of twenty-two on the calendar – the championship standings do not allow for peaceful sleep at Ducati: Marc Marquez is fifth, 36 points behind leader Marco Bezzecchi. Even further back is Pecco Bagnaia, ninth at -56. The best rider on a Borgo Panigale bike is Fabio Di Giannantonio, fourth at -31.
Read more Wolff: “Fierce rivalry with Horner. But F1 misses a personality like his”
