Ruben Xaus highlights how Marc Marquez’s injuries may have worked to his ‘advantage’ at Ducati

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Marc Marquez completed one of the most staggering comebacks in sporting history with the completion of his seventh MotoGP title on Sunday, and Ruben Xaus has highlighted one aspect of his injuries as something that may have given him an advantage.

The Spaniard notched another title win to his tally after finishing the race weekend at Motegi with second-place finishes in Saturday’s Sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

It’s been a season marked by total dominance from Marquez, who has found himself back in the form that he was prior to the devastating injuries he suffered in 2020 and 2022.

Since making the move to the factory Ducati team ahead of the 2025 MotoGP campaign, he has won 25 of the 34 races across all formats as he clinched the title with five rounds remaining.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Ducati from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy

Ruben Xaus highlights the ‘advantage’ that Marc Marquez has following his injury layoff

Despite not having many to his name at all, Gresini team boss Nadia Padovani identified Marquez’s only “weak point” as himself, noting how the Spaniard would often push himself too far over the limit.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Dura La Vita podcast, former MotoGP rider Ruben Xaus highlighted how the injuries that he sustained have had a profound effect on his riding style and how he has benefited from them in one way.

“Keep in mind that Marc is still not fully recovered,” Xaus started. “If you watch how he rides now, in the right and left corners, you can see his elbow and shoulder are raised.

“When he leans into right-hand corners, he always positions his elbow automatically, which is different from how he handles left-hand corners. This shows the injury is still there, a part of his life, and he’s learned to manage it.

“Marc’s recovery is strong enough for him to be a world champion, but he doesn’t ride with complete naturalness in those right-hand corners yet.

“Even in fast right-hand turns, his braking and positioning are affected. Interestingly, this handicap might even work to his advantage. Marc often says that when things come too easily, he sometimes gets distracted or crashes.

“Dealing with this shoulder injury has likely forced him to ride more carefully and calmly, which is exactly what allows a rider to come back stronger after an injury.”

READ MORE: Neil Hodgson recalls the exact moment he ‘genuinely’ thought Marc Marquez would retire from MotoGP

Marc Marquez took advice from Mick Doohan during his bid to return to the top of MotoGP

Marquez missed a total of 30 Grand Prix weekends between his accident at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix and his official return to the sport midway through the 2023 season.

During the same period, he took part in 29 races, but struggled with mobility and had to undergo further surgeries.

Five-time premier class champion Mick Doohan shared a similar period during his quest to become a Grand Prix motorcycle world champion during the 1990s.

The Australian rider suffered permanent and serious damage to his right leg and was forced to switch to a thumb-operated rear brake, as his right foot was no longer able to perform this function. He would go on to win five of his titles consecutively in the following year.

Doohan had several conversations with Marquez during his period of rehabilitation, with the former rider’s unique perspective on what he was going through massively benefiting his return.

The 60-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best riders of all time, given his dominance under the circumstances.