Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez claims that dirty air is costing riders a second a lap in modern MotoGP. The reigning world champion had to fight in the midfield during the United States Grand Prix.
Marquez was given a long-lap penalty for his collision with Fabio Di Giannantonio in Saturday’s Sprint. Forced to serve it in the early laps, he dropped to 11th place.
The Ducati rider fought his way back to fifth place, though only after a prolonged battle with Tech3 rider Enea Bastianini.
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Marc Marquez bemoans dirty air in MotoGP midfield
Speaking to ‘Carrusel Deportivo’ after the race, via Mundo Deportivo, Marquez complained about the turbulent wake coming from the bikes in front.
The early rounds of the 2026 season have featured more action than many of the 2025 races, particularly in the Sprints. Fortunately for Marquez, the aerodynamic profile of the bikes will be simplified next year, which should improve the racing.
“In the current MotoGP, when you’re in dirty air it’s practically impossible,” he said. “Without meaning to, you end up riding a second slower.”
Do MotoGP riders battle harder when they’re up against Marc Marquez?
The champ was talking about his battle with Enea Bastianini in Austin
While he acknowledges that he wasn’t quick enough to challenge the dominant Aprilia duo of Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, he believes a first Grand Prix podium of the year was possible without his penalty.
“I knew I’d be starting in the middle of the pack. Especially since the penalty is given in the first few laps, which is where it’s most detrimental; that’s why it’s a penalty.”
“I focused on my race; we didn’t have the pace to win anyway. Without the penalty, we would have fought for the podium, but not for the victory.”
Massimo Rivola and Jorge Martin agree on Ducati after United States GP
The 2025 version of Marquez may well have won Sunday’s race even with the long-lap sanction, particularly at a circuit like Austin.
But Marquez still isn’t fully fit, which has helped VR46’s Di Giannantonio supplant him as the top Ducati in the standings.
Bezzecchi is leading an Aprilia one-two ahead of KTM’s Pedro Acosta, with Di Giannantonio in fourth.
However, Massimo Rivola says Aprilia haven’t faced the ‘real’ Marquez yet, so he isn’t allowing himself to get excited.
Likewise, Martin says Ducati will be back to ‘normal’ at the Spanish GP, which is scheduled for 24-26 April.
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