Marc Marquez admits he’s ‘not in a position’ to make a comeback in the MotoGP title race

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Marc Marquez has issued a verdict on his chances of defending his MotoGP title this year as he readies himself for a return from injury at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion received clearance to race at Mugello on Thursday morning, after Ducati confirmed that Marquez would be travelling to the Tuscany-based circuit in hopes of returning to action.

His appearance in the Italian Grand Prix paddock comes less than three weeks after Marquez’s brutal highside in the Le Mans Sprint race, which saw him sustain a fractured foot.

The Spaniard subsequently underwent two separate surgeries, with one of them on his troublesome right arm.

In Marquez’s absence, championship leader Marco Bezzecchi extended his advantage over the rest of the grid at the top of the standings. The factory Ducati star is currently looking at an 85-point deficit to the Italian rider.

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Marc Marquez admits he is ‘not in a position’ to defend his MotoGP title after injury layoff

Despite Marquez’s injury ruling him out of the last round of racing in Barcelona, many figures within the MotoGP paddock still believed that he could mount a challenge for the 2026 title upon his return to the bike.

Second-placed man in the standings, Jorge Martin, outlined Marquez as his main rival in the title race following his confirmed injury layoff, seemingly snubbing the current championship leader and his Aprilia teammate, Bezzecchi.

However, in the eyes of Marquez himself, he no longer believes it is possible. During his Thursday afternoon media duties in Jerez, he told journalists via Motosan, “I’m not in a position to make a comeback just yet.

“I mean, the comeback I need to make is to build my future. To feel good again, to feel that I can ride a MotoGP bike at the highest level. Because the way I was riding in those first few races, it just wasn’t feasible.

“I was managing it because I was managing it, I don’t know how, but that’s why I wasn’t consistent. Now, though, I’m in the process of getting my fitness back.”

He later went on to further explain why the title race is no longer on his mind. Of course, hunting an eighth world championship in the premier class would force him to push his Ducati prototype to its very limit, and that would do him no favours in the grand scheme of things.

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He added, “I know that if I can get back into reasonably good shape, especially this right arm, and get it working more or less properly, then the speed will come.

“But for now, if I start thinking about the championship, all I’ll be doing is putting my body at greater risk of injury.

“It can always happen; that track comes up, and there’s always a risk, and you always push yourself to the limit. But I have to be very aware of where I am and where I want to go.”