Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez can match Giacomo Agostini’s all-time record of eight premier-class titles in 2026. He already tied great rival Valentino Rossi last year.
Marquez is also level with Rossi for total Grand Prix titles (nine), but he can surpass the Italian this year. Given that he’s turning 33 next month, he’s unlikely to catch Agostini’s benchmark of 15.
Still, winning the 2026 title would further strengthen Marquez’s standing in the greatest-of-all-time debate, inching him ahead of Rossi numerically.
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Marquez once again enters the year as the overwhelming favourite after sealing the 2025 championship with five rounds to spare.
Aprilia are a threat to Ducati but only one rider has beaten a fully-fit, factory-supported Marquez at the top level – Jorge Lorenzo.
Marc Marquez can become the most successful MotoGP rider ever
For the first time, Rossi’s record of 89 MotoGP wins is under threat this year. Marquez is up to 73 after winning 11 times last year.
To reach Rossi, Marquez would need to win 16 out of 22 Grands Prix, which would be a record in itself. He won just over 61% of the 2025 races he started, but he needs to increase that rate to nearly 73%.
While Marquez is expected to be fit for testing, injury could be a factor here. It would also be a surprise if Ducati were more dominant in 2026 based on the trends of last season.
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Still, Marquez won 72.2% of the races during the 2014 season (13 out of 18), which suggests he is capable.
While it’s more likely that he breaks the record in 2027 or 2028, he can become the most successful MotoGP rider ever with eight titles and 90 or more wins.
Marc Marquez could make history at the German Grand Prix
Marquez can also surpass Rossi for fastest laps. In fact, he can do so as early as round two in Brazil (he currently has 74 and the record is 75).
The Spaniard needs to lead 20 different races and qualify on the front row 17 times to tie Rossi in those categories.
Rossi was 30 when he retained the title in 2009, so Marquez could become the oldest back-to-back champion ever.
And finally, a win at the Sachsenring in July would be historic. Only Agostini has ever won 10 premier-class races at the same circuit (Imatra in Finland).
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