Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez will be the clear favourite for the 2026 MotoGP title, but he could face much closer competition than last year.
No one came close to the Spaniard in 2025, winning 25 races, including Sprints, throughout the year. Marquez missed the final four rounds of the year through injury after a crash in Indonesia, but he had already wrapped up the title in Japan.
Prove me wrong: Fabio Di Giannantonio has just nailed Marc Marquez’s biggest strength
The 32-year-old has spent the winter break focused on his recovery and returned to MotoGP action in pre-season testing at Sepang. Marquez admitted he was stiff on the bike and was not ready to go immediately, but he still topped the timesheets on day one.
Heading into the Buriram test and the first race of the season in March, many still expect Marquez to lead the pack and win his eighth MotoGP title. But the field has got closer since his injury, and he could be in for a tough battle.
Loris Capirossi picks Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia as Marc Marquez’s 2026 title challengers
Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia topped race simulations at Sepang ahead of Marc Marquez. The duo are looking strong on the GP26, which appears to be more comfortable to ride than its predecessor.
Furthermore, Aprilia have closed the gap to Ducati at the front, with Marco Bezzecchi leading the manufacturer to regular race wins and top positions by the end of 2025.
Prove me wrong: Marco Bezzecchi will be Marc Marquez’s closest rival in 2026
Many expect the Italian to challenge Marquez for the title in 2026, and former Ducati rider Loris Capirossi is among them. Speaking via GPOne, he named Bezzecchi and Bagnaia as potential rivals for the Ant of Cervera.
Asked to pick his 2026 favourites, he said: “I’d say always him… [Marquez] and I’d also include Bezzecchi and Pecco. Let’s hope there’s a good group up front.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
Loris Capirossi explains how Marc Marquez was ‘immediately’ on the pace at the Sepang test
Jorge Lorenzo was ‘surprised’ by Marquez’s speed in Malaysia as his shoulder was still not 100% healed. But Capirossi was not as surprised to see the Spaniard on the pace straight away.
He says that Marquez can ‘rediscover’ the feeling for a MotoGP bike immediately, even after not riding one since Mandalika, almost four months ago.
“There’s no question about his talent,” added Capirossi. “We know who Marc is. Then the combination with Ducati is a winning one. The bike is perfect, and he’s a great champion.
“So he was immediately fast, even though he hasn’t ridden a MotoGP bike for four months. After so many years of riding a MotoGP bike, you immediately rediscover the feeling.
“It’s too good to ride, especially at Sepang. I really like it. I’ve won a few races here too. It’s a smooth and a fast track. It’s a pleasure.”
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
