Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez was back on his Ducati bike during FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix today, with MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson noting something ‘weird’ he saw in the reigning world champion’s return to action.
All eyes were on the Ducati garages ahead of FP1 in Mugello as Marc Marquez prepared to return to prototype machinery following a three-week injury layoff that saw him undergo surgery on his fractured right foot, as well as his troublesome right arm.
Fabio Di Giannantonio tops FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix! Will he be able to build on this for the remainder of the weekend?
The Spaniard was visibly limping around in his factory Ducati box after arriving at the Tuscany-based circuit in a medical boot strapped to his stricken foot.
During his Thursday afternoon media duties at the Italian Grand Prix, Marquez opened up on the ‘physical limitations’ that he now faces following years of injury nightmares, but it is clear that his determination to succeed in the premier class remains the same.
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Neil Hodgson highlights what was ‘weird’ about Marc Marquez’s first laps back in MotoGP
During TNT Sports’ coverage of FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix, former MotoGP rider Neil Hodgson issued a ‘weird’ verdict on Marquez after assessing his first laps back on prototype machinery.
The factory Ducati star finished the session with the 15th fastest lap on the timing sheets, just over a second off of Fabio Di Giannantonio’s benchmark. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia ended FP1 in P8, four tenths faster than the Spaniard.
What are your thoughts on Ducati’s special centenary livery for the Italian Grand Prix?
“It’s been quite interesting watching Marc, he’s literally been riding around, not really looking like he’s pushing at all,” Hodgson told his co-commentators.
“He’s been off the pace; he’s 20th, one and a half seconds off, and his body language has just completely flipped. It’s weird, all of a sudden, he’s pushing. He’s settled his shoulder in, and now he’s like, ‘Right, let’s have a go.’”
Presenter Suzi Perry then highlighted how Marquez was taking a ‘sensible’ approach to his first laps back on the bike, adding, “Well that’s the sensible thing to do.
“Marc is now more sensible than he used to be because of what he’s been through.”
Marc Marquez has already ruled himself out of contention for the 2026 MotoGP title
The early signs indicate that Marquez is taking a more cautious approach this weekend as he tries to achieve the simple goal of getting back up to speed with things following his recent injuries.
Ahead of the race weekend, he made sure to assert that he was only returning to action in order to test his fitness. Of course, the Spaniard is a born-winner, so if he has any inkling of a potential victory, he will still try to snatch at it.
Still, in his comments to the media on Thursday, Marquez played down his chances of defending his MotoGP title this year, admitting that he simply isn’t in a position to contend for it.
He currently sits 85 points adrift of championship leader Marco Bezzecchi in the MotoGP standings. Pedro Acosta has already outlined that the 2026 title will mean less if Marquez isn’t at full fitness.
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