After several weeks of downplaying his ambitions, Marc Marquez no longer hides the fact that he is fully back in the fight for the 2026 MotoGP championship. But the Spaniard still refuses to reduce this battle to a simple duel.
At the end of a Dutch Grand Prix difficult, finished in seventh place, the driver Ducati delivered a revealing analysis of the current situation: according to him, five pilots can still clinch the world crown.
Just a few weeks ago, Marquez He mainly spoke about his physical difficulties. The after-effects of his 2025 injury, aggravated by nerve complications, had severely limited his potential at the start of the season. His surgery after Le Mans had also rejected any real championship objective.
But the victories obtained at Balaton Park then to Brno have completely revived his campaign.
Even if Assen did not allow him to confirm this momentum, the pilot Ducati start from Netherlands 40 points behind the new leader George Martin, a difference that is far from being insurmountable twelve Grand Prix of the arrival.
Asked by Sports world, Marquez delivered a much more open interpretation of the championship. The 37-point haul was supposed to belong to Bezzecchi, but he didn't live up to expectations. People are talking about Bezzecchi and Marc, but Jorge Martin is leading the standings, and Ogura, Sunday's winner, is on an excellent run of form. There aren't just two names, but five who could become world champions. »
Some names no longer appear on Marc Marquez's list
Without explicitly naming them all, the five-time MotoGP champion clearly outlines the group of main contenders. Besides himself, Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martin et Ai Ogura, Fabio DiGiannantonio, third in the championship after Assennow appears as a credible candidate.
This statement contrasts sharply with those made at the beginning of the season. At that time, Marquez saw in particular Marco Bezzecchi, his brother Alex, Francesco Bagnaia et Peter Acosta like its main rivals. Since then, the championship has changed profoundly.
Alex Marquez His season was disrupted by injuries. bagnaia continues to search for the settings that will allow it to fully exploit its Ducati. Acosta still pays the limits of KTMbetween mechanical problems and physical issues.
Conversely, George Martin took control of the championship, Ai Ogura has just secured his first MotoGP victory and Fabio Di Giannantonio has consistently established itself in the leading group.
The Grand Prix ofAssen confirmed a reality: the hierarchy remains extremely fluid. In just three races, Marco Bezzecchi has gone from being the undisputed leader to a pursuer, while Jorge Martín has taken the championship lead. Behind them, the gaps remain small enough to keep several drivers in contention.
As we approach the Sachsenring, Marc Marquez He knows that his favorite circuit could allow him to further reduce the gap. But his words primarily reflect a conviction: the 2026 championship will not be a simple duel. According to him, five The drivers still have the necessary tools to go for the world title, and the second half of the season looks more open than ever.
