Marco Bezzecchi
The upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix is unique in that no current rider on the grid has experience atop MotoGP’s prototype machinery there, which has led pundit Neil Hodgson to believe that it will play nicely into the hands of Marc Marquez.
A new circuit on the MotoGP calendar offers Marc Marquez a new challenge to add to his 22-strong collection of tracks that he has won at in the premier class. However, there has also been much discussion over the layout potentially countering the Spaniard’s skillset.
As a clockwise circuit, the Autodromo Internacional de Goiania naturally features more right-hand turns than left-handers, which Marquez has notoriously suffered from since injuring his right shoulder back in 2020.
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With Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi posing the biggest threat of all to Ducati’s recent dominance, there are worries that the Brazilian GP will expose Marquez’s biggest weakness, but it isn’t a concern that is held by everybody in the MotoGP paddock.
Neil Hodgson is ‘100%’ sure Marc Marquez will have an advantage in Brazil despite circuit concerns
During a Brazilian Grand Prix preview episode of the Gas It Out podcast, former MotoGP star Neil Hodgson was asked for his thoughts on which rider the Autodromo Internacional de Goiania will favour this weekend.
The 2026 edition of the race weekend in Goiania marks the first Grand Prix on Brazilian soil since 2004, and the first to be branded as the Brazilian Grand Prix since Wayne Rainey’s victory with Yamaha in 1992.
Thus, no current rider on the grid has any previous experience at the circuit, other than some previous tests on Superbike machinery or show runs. This is the exact reason why Hodgson is confident that Marquez will reign supreme.
What’s your podium prediction for the Brazilian Grand Prix?
He said, “Who’s it going to suit? It’s going to suit Marc Marquez, 100%. Do you remember when we went to Termas the first time? The track was filthy, and he went out, and in the first laps, he was like three seconds a lap quicker than everyone.
“They eventually, during that session, caught up to him. Maybe he’s a different man now, though, Marc. That was Marc of 13 years ago, who just took a lot of risks all the time and just loved it.
“But what we’ve learned over the years, when the grip level’s down, when there’s no grip and it’s a dirty track, he can use his skill, his talent, that obviously is his gift, a little bit more than the others, and he usually has an advantage.
“So I’d say it’s going to play into Marc’s hands. He does that quite well, normally.”
- READ MORE: MotoGP experts predict the Brazilian Grand Prix including whether Marc Marquez can win in Goiania
MotoGP’s return to Brazil has been put under threat due to extreme local weather
Uncertainty has already been cast over the weekend of racing in Brazil due to the extreme levels of rainfall that the Autodromo Internacional de Goiania has experienced in the lead-up to the Grand Prix.
The entrance to the paddock was reportedly ‘completely flooded’, with images that have circulated online showing several areas of the race track submerged in water.
Despite an anonymous MotoGP team boss highlighting their worry over the situation, Pedro Acosta has voiced his satisfaction with the grip levels of the Brazilian tarmac.
However, there is still the potential of showers scuppering a smooth running of the sessions over the course of the weekend.
Rain is still forecast to hit the circuit on all three days that MotoGP are occupying the track for, indicating that the Grand Prix could end up being an interesting spectacle for fans.
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