MotoGP Brno Day 3, Marc Marquez (Ducati/1): "The rider still makes the difference in this sport"

What a triumph! Marc Marquez In Brno, the nine-time world champion was imperious at the 2026 Czech Grand Prix. After following Pecco Bagnaia for more than half the race, he took the lead and then tried to break away. Behind him, Ai Ogura, known for his late surges, was gradually closing the gap, but never managed to get close. Right to the end, the factory Ducati rider had to hold off Ogura by setting a blistering pace in the final laps, all in sweltering heat.

Marquez is undoubtedly the big winner of this weekend. In the absence of Marco Bezzecchi, he gained another 25 points on the world championship leader this Sunday. « Mentally and physically, it was difficult, especially managing the second half of the race in the lead. We made a few changes compared to yesterday so I would be more relaxed on the bike.Ducati did a great job: I might have lost a little performance, but I was able to ride more smoothly, especially under acceleration, and that helped me a lot. Keeping up with Pecco wasn't easy, far from it. I used the rear tire a lot, and in the last few laps, yes, I was fast. Frankly, those six laps seemed endless." he declared to the microphones of Sky Sports.

 

 

Since the beginning of the year, Marquez has insisted that the Ducati is on par with the Aprilia, but that his health was holding him back. Now that he's had surgery and is much better, it's easier. « We practice a sport where the rider still makes the difference, even if the motorcycle is becoming increasingly important. I've been saying it since the beginning of the year: the bike is performing well, it really is. Today I won, but the bike had that little something extra. We need to keep this momentum going. Ducati and I have worked very hard during this first part of the seasonWe changed two or three small details, and it showed. Ogura was very strong, and we were right there with them. But Pecco and Diggia were also performing very well." he added.

 

 

Upon arrival, he looked visibly exhausted, as rarely seen after a victory. Marc Marquez earned it through sheer determination. « I've seen it all, I'm used to suffering and winningBut today I was very emotional because I almost lost my breath during the last three laps: I was very wary of Ogura. He is very strong, but someone here once told me something I will never forget: it is the one who resists the longest who wins, not the fastest. And it was a time when we had to resist. Today, it was a real test of strength. he concluded.

2026 Czech MotoGP Grand Prix result:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport