Present MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez believes the 2026 season will likely be “very intense” and has named the riders he believes pose the most important risk.
The 32-year-old Spaniard begins the brand new 12 months because the reigning champion for the primary time since 2020 after dominating the 2025 season with Ducati.
Marc Márquez gained 11 Grands Prix and 14 Sprints, scoring 37 factors over seven consecutive weekends between Aragon and Hungary to safe his seventh premier class title.
He’s now stage with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and only one race away from Giacomo Agostini’s document of eight.
He enters the 2026 season because the overwhelming favourite to win the championship once more in his closing 12 months within the 1000cc system, however he isn’t taking that without any consideration.
“Yearly is totally different,” he mentioned. newspaper.
“Regardless of how good you do one 12 months, it doesn’t essentially imply the following 12 months would be the identical or higher.
“The start is at all times the worst as a result of everyone seems to be you.
“However we may have some very robust opponents this winter, so we now have to work onerous to be as ready as attainable.
“We’ve Alex (Marquez) who was runner-up on the world championships.
“Marco Bezzecchi, who completed the 12 months on an excellent notice. After which there’s the two-time MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia, who rides the identical bike.
“We anticipate it to be a really intense season, particularly within the first half.”
Ducati faces a rising risk from Aprilia because the 2025 season progresses, with the rival Italian model having fun with its greatest 12 months ever in MotoGP.
Marco Bezzecchi moved into the highest three within the riders’ standings with 4 Grand Prix wins on his approach to second place within the producers’ desk.
Marquez injured his shoulder in a collision with Bezzecchi on the Indonesian Grand Prix and missed the ultimate 4 races.
Regardless of this, he completed 78 factors behind second-placed Alex Marquez and 192 factors forward of Bezzecchi.
Marquez’s restoration is progressing effectively and he’s anticipated to participate within the first pre-season check of 2026 in Sepang in February.
