Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez is poised to seal the MotoGP world championship at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. It would be the earliest triumph of his career in terms of progress through the season.
Following Saturday’s Sprint race, Marquez only needs to finish in the top nine to seal the title. Given that he’s starting on the front row, it should be a formality.
Marquez’s crushing 2025 triumph raises doubts over whether he can be challenged before the 2027 regulation changes, which give Ducati’s rivals their best opportunity yet to catch up.
Speaking to Marca, Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti picked out two riders who are talented enough to challenge the Ant of Cervera. But it’s unclear when they’ll have the machinery to do so.
Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin named as threats to Marc Marquez
Pramac defected from Ducati to Yamaha for the 2025 season. That means Campinoti has had a chance to study factory rider Fabio Quartararo from a much closer distance.
He says the 2021 world champion is a ‘tremendous talent’ and a ‘spectacular rider’. Quartararo has notched four pole positions, three podiums and 141 points on what is statistically the slowest bike on the grid.
Campinoti also picked out Jorge Martin as a legitimate threat to Marquez, having worked with the Madrid native before his move to Aprilia.
“Fabio has tremendous talent, he’s a spectacular rider,” said Campinoti. “For me, there are few riders who can compete with Marc: one is Fabio and the other is Jorge.
Asked whether only these two riders were capable, he replied: “No, maybe a few more, but these two are the most likely to do so.”
Quartararo also ranks in Jorge Lorenzo’s top three MotoGP riders, though he placed KTM’s Pedro Acosta just above him.
In an interview earlier this year, Quartararo said he could match Marquez in the dry, but cast doubt on whether he could keep up in adverse conditions.
Paolo Campinoti reveals whether he’d bring Jorge Martin back to Pramac
Martin’s chances of beating Marquez in 2026 were dealt another blow on Saturday as he broke his collarbone in a first-corner incident. He’s already at a significant mileage deficit to the rest of the field after a season dominated by injury.
Another spell out of action, which appears likely, could have lasting effects. It compounds a desperate year for the reigning champion, who also had to back down after trying to find a way out of Aprilia.
- READ MORE: MotoGP doctor provides immediate update on Jorge Martin injury after Japanese Grand Prix crash
When Campinoti was asked whether he’d welcome Martin back to Pramac, he sent an emphatic message.
“This team will always be your home,” he said. “Whenever you want to return, we will welcome you with open arms.”
Martin’s contract expires at the end of next year, which means he’s free to enter the market if he desires. With his Yamaha deal running down, Neil Hodgson wants to see Quartararo on a Ducati, potentially setting up a head-to-head with Marquez.
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