Marco Bezzecchi
A new season brings a new spec of bikes for MotoGP’s factory riders, and Ducati’s GP26 is arguably the most highly anticipated prototype out of the lot.
Following the success that Marc Marquez found during his first season on factory Ducati machinery last year, it’s highly likely that the Spaniard continues where he left off once the first flag falls at the start of the 2026 campaign.
The winter break has been filled with rest and recuperation for the seven-time premier class title-winner, who broke his collarbone in the latter stages of 2025, but Marquez was able to take part in some training laps as pre-season preparations started to ramp up.
He was deemed fit enough to take part in the first day of MotoGP’s first official test of the new term in Sepang today, and opened the lid on his immediate thoughts on the new GP26 to journalists afterwards.
- READ MORE: Jorge Lorenzo is ‘surprised’ by Marc Marquez’s private reaction to Ducati targeting Pedro Acosta
Picking up where he left off, is this the start of MotoGP title #8 for Marc Marquez? 🧐
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Marc Marquez’s instant reaction to the GP26 following the first day of MotoGP testing in Sepang
Marquez ended the first day of testing on top of the time sheets, clocking in a time that was over two tenths faster than Fabio Di Giannantonio in second.
The Spaniard was able to get some good mileage under his belt, racking up a total of 54 laps around the Sepang International Circuit.
Speaking to Marca afterwards, Marquez noted his immediate impressions of Ducati’s new prototype, and the challenges that he faces over the course of the season.
He said, “Technically, the fact that you can’t change the main, the biggest part of a bike, which is the engine, means there are few changes. It’s a base, up or down.
“Here, in the test, with so much rubber on the track, everything is working quite well, but you have to be alert in several aspects to have a good base, especially considering all 22 races, not just circuits like Malaysia, which are very long.
“But the concept, or the 2026 improvements, we’re introducing little by little. It’s a complicated and difficult test because the Thailand test is so close to the race; many things have to be decided here.”
- READ MORE: Franco Morbidelli explains why he doesn’t feel any ‘pressure’ from Marc Marquez at Ducati
When do you think Marc Marquez will retire from MotoGP?
Marc Marquez is eyeing his eighth MotoGP world championship this year
If Marquez is successful in defending his riders’ championship during his second year in Borgo Panigale, he will move ahead of his arch-nemesis Valentino Rossi in the all-time leaderboards for the most successful premier class competitors ever.
There are also a plethora of Rossi records that Marquez can usurp from the Italian during the upcoming campaign, including the most Grand Prix victories in the premier class, as well as the record for the most fastest laps by a rider.
Marquez showed the utmost respect for Rossi after being reminded that he equalled him last season, and despite him playing down the achievement of surpassing him, he will certainly hope to hold the bragging rights over The Doctor if he is successful this year.
The Spaniard will need to find his finest form to rewrite the record books this season, though. Marquez needs 16 wins to surpass Rossi in that category, but only two fastest laps to steal at least one record away from him.
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