Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati racer Marc Marquez believes the 2026 MotoGP riders’ title is still up for grabs, but Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi leading every Grand Prix lap so far is rather “worrying”.
Bezzecchi has enjoyed a record-setting start to the 2026 campaign, as the Italian picked up where he left off in 2025. The 27-year-old has now led 121 consecutive Grand Prix laps, after he won the final two races last season before scoring three wins from three to kick off 2026.
Marquez, on the other hand, has yet to finish a Grand Prix on the podium this year, with the reigning champion’s best result thus far P4 in Brazil. Goiania’s track surface breaking up cost Marquez P3 in Brazil, as he ran wide on the marbles and let Fabio Di Giannantonio through.
Having also retired from the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix with a puncture, Marquez trails Bezzecchi by 36 points despite his rival’s Sprint Race woes. Bezzecchi crashed while leading the Sprint in Buriram, and he also crashed while running in P2 in the Sprint in Texas.
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Marc Marquez finds Marco Bezzecchi leading every Grand Prix lap in 2026 ‘worrying’
Bezzecchi’s Grand Prix results have put him atop the 2026 MotoGP standings, though, with the Rimini native boasting 81 points. He sits four points clear of his Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin, who finished P2 in Brazil and America, while Marquez ranks in fifth with 45 points.
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Given the 2026 MotoGP season is only three rounds through, Marquez still believes he is in the title conversation ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. But the fact that Bezzecchi has led each lap in the last five Grands Prix has Marquez feeling rather worried heading to Jerez.
Marquez said, via quotes by Motorsport.com: “Well, right now, we’re far away. We are at 36 points from three races. They’ve built a big lead, but there’s still a lot to play for.
“The point is that Bezzecchi led every lap of every race on the Sundays, and that’s the most worrying thing. So, we will try to stop the favourites, which for the title right now are Aprilia with Bezzecchi and Martin.”
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Marquez does not expect he will challenge Bezzecchi at Jerez on Sunday, either, despite the Spaniard feeling healthier following his ongoing shoulder injury and having more time for his arm to heal. The 33-year-old has a big abrasion on his right forearm from his crash at COTA.
Ducati saw Marquez fly over the gravel trap at COTA’s Turn 10 in the first practice session at the 2026 United States Grand Prix when he crashed after climbing over the brow of the hill. Marquez lost the front end of his GP26 after hitting a bump and even reached the air fence.
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