Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP heads straight to the Catalan Grand Prix on the back of Jorge Martin winning in France, but Marc Marquez will not be racing in Barcelona after his injury at Le Mans.
Marquez fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot when the Ducati rider crashed on the penultimate lap of the Sprint Race at the French Grand Prix last week. The reigning MotoGP champion was immediately ruled out of the French GP and the Catalan GP due to his injury.
Ducati have confirmed that they will not enter a replacement for Marquez at the Catalan GP while he recovers from the surgery on his fractured toe, as well as on his shoulder. Marquez had another operation on his shoulder, as a screw from an old injury was touching a nerve.
Who is going to win the Catalan Grand Prix?
Francesco Bagnaia will now carry the factory Ducati team at the Catalan GP, which Gresini’s Alex Marquez won in 2025 to do a Spanish double after his debut MotoGP win at Jerez. The younger Marquez brother has already repeated his 2025 Spanish Grand Prix victory in 2026.
The momentum heading to Montmelo is with Martin, however, as the Aprilia racer won the Sprint at Le Mans and even the French GP. Martin is the only rider so far this term to do the double, and he is now just one point behind teammate Marco Bezzecchi atop the standings.
With that in mind, MotoGP News’ expert team of writers have offered their predictions for the Catalan GP – including whether Ducati can win without Marc Marquez at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and how likely French GP winner Martin is to take back-to-back wins.
Who will score pole position for the 2026 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Alex Marquez: “Spanish soil is set to see home success once again in 2026, as Gresini star Alex Marquez loves the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and can score his first pole position of the season on Saturday. Alex took a dominant pole position in Montmelo last year when the race was staged in September, and he will fancy his chances of repeating it.”
Ashley Hambly – Jorge Martin: “Aprilia’s Jorge Martin has got Sprint Race wins and a Grand Prix victory to his name in 2026, all that he is now missing is a pole position. He has not taken pole at Barcelona since his Moto3 days, but I think that will change this weekend.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Marco Bezzecchi: “I expect Marco Bezzecchi to hit Barcelona with a level of motivation that we have not seen in the last few weeks, after watching Jorge Martin close the gap to him in the championship standings. It’s going to start getting feisty between the two, and I expect it to start in qualifying, despite Bezzecchi’s Saturday woes.”
David Comerford – Alex Marquez: “He’s been very inconsistent this year, but I think he’ll come alive again in front of his home fans. And with no Marc Marquez in Barcelona, Alex is carrying their hopes.”
MotoGP experts predict which rider will win the Sprint Race at the 2026 Catalan GP
Kyle Archer – Jorge Martin: “Aprilia star Jorge Martin’s Sprint Race win at Le Mans showed that he can win the shortened race even after starting from P8 on the grid, after he climbed to fourth before Turn 1, gained two more places into the chicane and then led out of Turn 4. Given the longer main straight in Barcelona, Martin will back himself to lead out of Turn 1.”
Ashley Hambly – Jorge Martin: “His form in the Sprint was integral to his championship feat in 2024, and that seems to be an emerging pattern for him so far in 2026. Martin’s a tough competitor to beat over the shorter format, so he’ll be difficult to get the better of if he is starting from pole position.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Alex Marquez: “I know that Alex Marquez hasn’t done well in Sprints this year, but with his strong outing at Jerez in the Spanish Grand Prix, I think he has the momentum to earn a big win at the Catalan GP – even if it won’t be in the main race.”
David Comerford – Alex Marquez: “I think Alex Marquez will convert pole position over the shorter format, but Aprilia will be too strong in the longer distance.”
Which rider will win the 2026 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix?
What is your favourite Catalan Grand Prix moment?
Bonus points if it’s not Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo’s iconic last lap in 2009
Kyle Archer – Alex Marquez: “While Jorge Martin won the French Grand Prix due to his unbeatable race pace around Le Mans, Alex Marquez’s name will be on the Catalan Grand Prix winners’ trophy on Sunday and he may prove to be unbeatable with a fast start.”
Ashley Hambly – Alex Marquez: “He has already replicated his 2025 win at Jerez this year, so I am opting for the Gresini rider to do it again this week in Barcelona. Last year’s win at the Catalan Grand Prix marked Alex Marquez’s first win in a straight fight with his older brother, Marc, so he’s definitely capable of getting the job done in Marc’s absence this year.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Jorge Martin: “I expect Jorge Martin to get the win once again, even with Marco Bezzecchi on pole. He has a lot of momentum on his side and showed that he can handle a tougher track like Le Mans, so I expect the same in Montmelo.”
David Comerford – Jorge Martin: “Now that Jorge Martin is comfortable on the Aprilia, I worry for Marco Bezzecchi. I can see Martin really building some momentum in the coming races and taking control of the title race.”
Who will be on the 2026 MotoGP Grand Prix podium?
Kyle Archer – Marquez, Martin, Bagnaia: “Alex Marquez could win the Catalan Grand Prix without much of a challenge from behind. But the fight for the final podium places will be hotly contested, with Jorge Martin holding off Francesco Bagnaia for the Ducati rider’s first rostrum of 2026. Marco Bezzecchi will narrowly see the end of his seven-race podium run.”
Ashley Hambly – Marquez, Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio: “Marco Bezzecchi has been the most consistent rider on the grid when it comes to maximising results in the Grand Prix format, and I think that will continue in Barcelona.
“I’m predicting a crash to derail Jorge Martin’s challenge in the Catalan Grand Prix, with Fabio Di Giannantonio reaping the benefits to snatch the final spot on the podium.”
David Comerford – Martin, Bezzecchi, Marquez: “I can see another Aprilia one-two with Marco Bezzecchi in second, and Alex Marquez holding on to third place for some Ducati representation.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Martin, Di Giannantonio, Bezzecchi: “Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi have been consistently strong this season, and I have a hard time going against them to earn success in Barcelona.”
How much will Marc Marquez’s injury hurt Ducati at the Catalan Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer: “While the factory Ducati outfit’s wait for a Grand Prix victory in 2026 will likely continue without Marc Marquez in Catalunya, amid the Spaniard’s injury layoff, they can still get a podium in the Catalan GP. Francesco Bagnaia has an improved feeling for the front end of the GP26, and he had the pace to win in France before he crashed due to a brake issue.”
Ashley Hambly: “With Ducati now confirming that Marc Marquez will not be replaced at the Montmelo-based circuit this weekend, it will be up to Francesco Bagnaia to bag some points on his own. Recent Grand Prix form isn’t in his favour, however, so I can’t see Ducati coming away from the Catalan Grand Prix with much to smile about.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy: “While Marc Marquez hasn’t been on fire this year, his presence has always played a role on race weekends. And with confirmation that Marquez won’t be replaced in Montmelo, Ducati will only have one rider representing their factory team in Francesco Bagnaia.”
David Comerford: “Francesco Bagnaia seems to have good moments every weekend, but he cannot string it all together from Friday to Sunday. Ducati have not been scoring podiums anyway, but there’s a chance they will be pretty anonymous without Marc Marquez.”
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