Neil Hodgson pinpoints the ‘worst’ problem Luca Marini faced despite his amazing Honda return at the German Grand Prix

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The German Grand Prix played host to one of the most chaotic races of the MotoGP season so far as Marc Marquez secured a fourth consecutive double.

And he may not have been the star of the show either, as a factory Honda bike featured in the top six for just the first time this season.

The most heroic part was that it was Luca Marini’s first race back from a six-week absence, induced by a scary crash in testing for the 8 Hours of Suzuka.

His German Grand Prix result lifts him to 15th in the MotoGP standings, just 39 points from the top 10 of the championship, despite missing the last three races.

Honda have a new line-up ‘plan’ for 2026, which could see the Italian rider demoted to the satellite LCR team in the future.

After his spell on the sidelines, Marini wanted to return to Honda as soon as possible, to allow himself as much time as he could to prove that he’s the right man for the future.

READ MORE: Valentino Rossi may now intervene to save two-podium rider who could lose his MotoGP seat

Neil Hodgson says Luca Marini’s ‘worst’ problem was cramp at the German Grand Prix

Marini’s plan for the MotoGP future ‘completely changed’ following his crash in May, after he had originally planned to compete in the Suzuka 8 Hour race to prove to Honda how fast he can be.

Since then, he has faced a gruelling recovery and couldn’t have hoped for much better on Sunday at the Sachsenring. He was on top form.

Despite having to battle teammate Joan Mir and the Trackhouse riders, he remained calm under pressure and delivered a solid result.

TNT Sports’ Neil Hodgson spotted the 27-year-old battling one issue during the race, which may have halted his progress.

“I think he’s getting cramp. Exactly that, that’s what it’ll be. Dislocated it, broken some bones, doing little things like that, you’re in that same corner position for so long,” he said.

“Eventually, you just cramp up, you get leg pump. Your muscles seize up. It’s the worst track to come back to. Because like I keep saying, there is no rest.”

READ MORE: Jorge Martin sends four-word message to Luca Marini after suffering multiple injuries in Suzuka crash

Which MotoGP teams could Luca Marini sign for in 2026?

Marini has a few options if he wants to carry on racing in MotoGP next year, with his number one probably being remaining where he is.

With Jorge Martin set to remain at Aprilia, there is now one less obstacle in the way for him to re-sign with the team he has done so much work with over the last season and a half.

The Japanese manufacturer may yet opt to send him back to the LCR team, though, who have scored positive results with Johann Zarco in 2025.

And there could be a seat at VR46 too, if half-brother Valentino Rossi sees that he has no other options left, with Franco Morbidelli’s deal set to expire as well.