Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s MotoGP title defence in 2026 got off to the worst possible start as he suffered a puncture in the final laps of the Thailand Grand Prix.
The Ducati rider qualified P2 for the 2026 season opener behind Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi. He battled for victory with Pedro Acosta in the Sprint race, but controversy arose as he was judged to have forced the KTM rider off the track with a late lunge.
Marquez handed the lead to Acosta after he was hit with a penalty for the move. The 33-year-old was looking to bounce back in the Thailand Grand Prix, but it did not go to plan.
Marco Bezzecchi bounces back from his Sprint crash to win in Thailand! 😍 Is this the start of his title charge?
Marquez was passed by Raul Fernandez for P2 in the early stages, before Acosta and Jorge Martin got through. The three Spaniards produced some excellent racing throughout, but Marquez’s race soon came to an abrupt halt.
He pulled off to the side of the track with a rear tyre puncture on lap 21. Marquez did well not to fall off his bike as he was forced to pull over and retire from the race, marking a devastating start to his 2026 campaign.
MotoGP fans unleash fury at Michelin after Marc Marquez’s Thailand Grand Prix puncture
Almost everyone was left bemused by the incident, but MotoGP fans were also frustrated with tyre supplier Michelin and how such a failure could happen.
They unleashed their fury on X (formerly Twitter): “2 riders with Michelin tyre failures. What a clownshow Michelins have been hopefully Pirellis won’t be any worse,” said one disgruntled fan.
The first race of 2026 is done! What would you rate the Thailand Grand Prix out of 10?
“Did the rim literally melt from the heat what the hell,” said one user. “Just horrible? How can a rim twist like that during a race? Mind-boggling stuff!” said another confused fan.
“15 years of MotoGP don’t recall seeing that especially on multiple drivers in the same race,” wrote another fan.
One user said: “Man, the tyres are so damn soft… these tyres are all over the place, d— it.. and no Ducati in the top 5…” Another fan even called for Pirelli to replace Michelin immediately – they will do so in 2027: “Ban that trash tyre Michelin, hurry up switch to Pirelli already.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend
Have Ducati taken a step back in 2026?
Marco Bezzecchi dominated the Thailand GP, leading every lap and winning his third consecutive race. Aprilia looked in complete control, with all four bikes in the top five.
It marks the first time in 88 races that Ducati have not had a rider on the podium. Compared to previous years, the Borgo Panigale outfit do not look as comfortable.
Marquez made ‘many errors’ with the brakes in Thailand, as Pol Espargaro noted. The GP26 may not be as stable as many previously thought after testing.
Of course, it is very early to judge anything for the 2026 season. But it is clear that Aprilia are really putting Ducati under pressure.
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