Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez has no interest in continuing in MotoGP if he can only fight for top-five finishes as opposed to victories, Giacomo Agostini says.
Marquez enters the 2026 season as the strong favourite for a title that would see him equal Agostini at the top of the premier-class leaderboard (eight apiece). The Italian’s overall record of 15 Grand Prix titles appears safe, though.
While Marquez is the second-oldest rider on the MotoGP grid at 33, there’s no prospect of him retiring in the next couple of years.
Finish the sentence: Marc Marquez’s final MotoGP team will be…
Indeed, Marquez is expected to sign a new deal with Ducati and that may not be his final contract. Many suspect that he will seek a return to Honda before he retires.
Giacomo Agostini says Marc Marquez’s ‘mentality’ sets him apart
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Agostini recalled a conversation with Marquez that had stuck with him.
While many riders on the grid would love to be fighting for top-five finishes right now, Marquez said he would ‘retire’ if that’s all he could achieve, rather than podiums, wins or titles.
Asked how Marquez ‘makes the difference’, Agostini replied: “With his mentality. He’s a rider who wants to win at all costs.
What’s your podium prediction for the Thailand Grand Prix?
“One day, talking to him, he told me that if he had to fight for 5th or 6th place, he’d retire. For Marquez, the minimum goal is the podium.”
The Spaniard is targeting his 100th Grand Prix win in Thailand this weekend and could also surpass Valentino Rossi’s premier-class benchmark of 89 this year (he currently has 73).
Addressing his career plans in a recent interview, Marquez said he will retire when he’s no longer the fastest rider.
Giacomo Agostini’s concern about Marc Marquez heading into 2026 MotoGP season
Marquez missed the last four rounds of the 2025 season through injury. While he has taken a full part in pre-season testing, Agostini says he may not be at his best.
After he crashed three times in the Buriram test over the weekend, Peter Bom says Marquez looks ‘very vulnerable’ all of a sudden.
Turning to his potential challengers, Agostini picked out Aprilia duo Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin as well as re-energised teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
“He’s the world champion, so he’s the man to beat,” he said of Marquez. “Last year he suffered an injury and had to miss the last few races. This could affect him, at least in this initial phase. His opponents will certainly be aggressive, I expect a really good championship.
“Aprilia, with Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, is ready to fight for victories. Pecco Bagnaia is a champion, but last year he didn’t have his usual determination. The winter might have helped him recharge his batteries. For me, he’s a fearsome opponent.”
Asked about the prospect of Marquez equalling his eight-title record, he added: “He deserves it. Records are meant to be broken, but I’m glad no one has managed it yet. I just hope that if they do, they’ll invite me to the party they’re throwing.”
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