Marco Bezzecchi
Former MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso has rated Marc Marquez’s chances of defending his world title following yet another injury setback for the factory Ducati rider.
If Marc Marquez’s results at the beginning of the 2026 MotoGP campaign weren’t an indication of the title heading elsewhere this season, his latest injury layoff may be the final nail in the coffin.
The Spaniard currently sits 71 points adrift of championship leader Marco Bezzecchi after five rounds of racing, and with Marquez now ruled out of the upcoming Catalan Grand Prix, he will likely be facing a much bigger deficit upon his return to action.
While Jorge Martin is still wary of Marquez being his main title rival despite him being in the midst of a stint on the sidelines, other figures within the MotoGP paddock share a differing opinion.
- READ MORE: MotoGP insiders share the same Marc Marquez concern that his latest surgery may not solve
Andrea Dovizioso rules Marc Marquez out of title contention in ‘almost impossible’ verdict
During an episode of Andrea Dovizioso’s podcast, the 15-time Grand Prix winner was asked for his thoughts on whether the reigning world champion can still contend for the title this year.
Marquez has never come back from more than a 37-point deficit to win a world championship, which suggests he will have a mammoth task on his hands to overturn the current title landscape.
Asked if he is already out of contention, Dovizioso replied, “In my opinion, yes, because apart from his physical limitations and the fact that we can’t know when he’ll be back, or if he’ll return in good shape.
“Also, to what extent his own feelings, the bike, and the competition will be up to scratch right now. It’s the Aprilias he’s up against. There’s a gap that, if he’s in good shape, he might be able to close a little bit, as they say.
“But the fact remains that the Aprilias are going strong right now. They’ve been strong in all conditions on all tracks. When you already have two riders who are battling it out for the championship, it’s almost impossible, in my opinion.”
- READ MORE: Livio Suppo is hoping ‘for the sake of the sport’ that Marc Marquez can return to his best in MotoGP
Marc Marquez has been warned that he must respect his recovery period
With the multitude of injuries that Marquez has suffered since the start of the current decade, the last thing he needs is to make a premature return and continue the current injury-ridden cycle he has found himself in.
Given his previous record of trying to return from injury as soon as possible, MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley highlighted how he wouldn’t be surprised if Marquez turned up to Barcelona with the intention of taking part in the race weekend.
However, Marquez has also been told to respect his recovery period by Grand Prix motorcycle racing legend, Max Biaggi.
He warned the Spaniard that any sort of early return would not do him ‘any favours’ in the long run, even noting that Marquez should sit out until the Italian Grand Prix, at the very least.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
