Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s 2026 MotoGP campaign has begun in stark contrast to the domination he showed last year, and the Spaniard has identified the biggest issues he is currently experiencing with Ducati’s GP26, despite asserting “it’s me, not the bike”.
Having started last year’s term with five wins out of six races in the first three race weekends, a win in the Brazilian GP Sprint race is currently the only trip to the top step of the podium that Marc Marquez has made so far in 2026.
The most recent United States GP was expected to be a true sign of the reigning world champion’s prowess in 2026.
Will Ducati return to form when the season resumes?
Jorge Martin thinks so!
The Circuit of the Americas is statistically Marquez’s best circuit on the calendar, but he was unable to come away from Austin with anything to show for it after crashing out of the Sprint and securing a P5 finish in the Grand Prix.
Marc Marquez admits ‘it’s me, not the bike’ after another podium-less Grand Prix in 2026
In an interview with MotoGP journalist Manuel Pecino from Motosan, Marquez gave a candid assessment regarding his form at the beginning of the 2026 campaign.
For fans watching the proceedings at the Circuit of the Americas, his battle with Enea Bastianini was one of the most thrilling examples of wheel-to-wheel racing that took place over the weekend.
However, when asked if he had enjoyed being a part of it, the reigning world champion replied, “Not really. I enjoy fighting for the win more.
“But it was good at the beginning, and then towards the end I felt better and better, as is normal. But now we have three weeks to try and improve on the first few laps.”
“In the first few laps, when the tyres are new, the bike becomes more aggressive, and I can’t ride it at that point.”
Do MotoGP riders battle harder when they’re up against Marc Marquez?
The champ was talking about his battle with Enea Bastianini in Austin
Marquez was then asked about the issues he is currently experiencing when racing atop the Ducati GP26, to which he asserted, “It’s me, not the bike.”
He then added, “I need to really understand how to improve the first few laps. I don’t feel comfortable on the bike.
“It seems like I’m getting used to a position, not a natural position on the bike, and then I’m just riding along. I’m still fast, but I can’t make a difference.”
- READ MORE: Kevin Schwantz spotted Marc Marquez still ‘banged up’ and ‘hurt’ at United States Grand Prix
Jorge Martin thinks Marc Marquez will be back to normal at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix
Marquez’s title-defending campaign comes after a winter break that was filled with recovery and rehabilitation. The Spaniard broke his collarbone during the latter stages of 2025 and has found it difficult to make a speedy recovery.
MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson has seen signs that Marquez still isn’t at the peak of his physical condition following the setback last year, and his results are seemingly proving it as well.
However, Jorge Martin is certain that it’s only a matter of time before the seven-time premier class world champion is back at the front and causing problems for his rivals again.
Following a highly successful United States GP for the 2024 title-winner, Martin predicted that Ducati and Marquez will “return to normal” at the next round of racing.
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