Marco Bezzecchi
Despite Marc Marquez’s injury at the recent French GP, Jorge Martin is adamant that the reigning world champion is still his biggest rival in the 2026 MotoGP title race.
Following a start to the season that has been marred by injury woes, Marc Marquez put himself on the sidelines again following a brutal crash in the Le Mans Sprint race.
The factory Ducati star suffered a highside at turn 11 on Saturday afternoon, resulting in a fractured right foot. Marquez was forced to undergo surgery, and revealed he was due for an operation on his right shoulder, as well.
Do you think Marc Marquez’s latest injury could see him retire at the end of 2026?
While the Spaniard flew to Madrid for the procedure, the French GP ensued, and it was Jorge Martin who reigned victorious at the Sarthe-based circuit.
It marked his first Grand Prix victory since his 2024 title-winning campaign, and brought him to within just one point of his Aprilia teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, in the MotoGP standings.
Despite the Italian rider holding the championship lead for the majority of the season so far, Martin has asserted that Marquez remains his true rival in the title landscape.
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Jorge Martin asserts Marc Marquez is ‘still’ his main rival in 2026 title race
Speaking to MotoGP journalist Manuel Pecino inside the French GP paddock, Martin shared his thoughts on Marquez’s incident, as well as the title race in light of his trip to the top step of the podium.
“I believe that respect between riders takes precedence over any animosity or rivalry,” Martin said via Motosan. “If one day a rider comes to me asking for medical advice, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it to him.
“Now I hope Marc comes back as soon as possible. I know he’ll come back stronger, because it’s clear he wasn’t well. And he’ll come back stronger than ever. I still think he’s my main rival in the fight for this world championship.”
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Marquez currently sits 71 points behind championship leader Bezzecchi in the standings, one more than his current deficit to Martin.
With the factory Ducati rider also ruled out of the upcoming Catalan Grand Prix, it remains to be seen what the deficit will be upon his return to action in the premier class.
It was a torrid weekend all around for Borgo Panigale. Despite Francesco Bagnaia claiming pole position, his crash in the Grand Prix left the factory outfit with no points from Sunday’s race. They currently sit fifth in the teams’ championship.
Jorge Martin ‘never’ thought he’d be competing for a title after 2025 injury hell
Martin’s return to the top in the Grand Prix format last weekend marked his first Sunday victory since the 2024 Indonesian Grand Prix, 588 days prior to his feat at Le Mans.
During his words to Pecino after the chequered flag, he was asked if he had ever envisioned himself in this position again following a title-defending campaign last year that was largely spent in a hospital bed.
“No, never,” he replied, before adding, “I’ve always wanted to, but I never thought I’d be in this situation again.
“I think the important thing is to work and keep working on improving my feeling, because today the feeling wasn’t the best. But even so, I had faith that I could pull it off.
“Now I have to keep working to improve my feeling, to feel more comfortable on the Aprilia. After Montmelo, there will likely be an important test, and we’re on the right track. We have to keep going like this.”
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