Marc Marquez reveals feeling ‘worse than I thought’ at Italian GP despite impressive qualifying pace

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Marc Marquez revealed he was feeling ‘worse than I thought’ at the Italian Grand Prix before setting an impressive pace in qualifying.

During the French Grand Prix in Le Mans earlier in the month, Marquez was involved in a huge accident during the Sprint.

The seven-time world champion highsided at Turn 13 as he looked to stay on the back of Honda rider, Luca Marini.

What resulted was a foot injury and Marquez also went under the knife to solve his ongoing shoulder issue.

This weekend, the Spaniard made his return as the 2026 MotoGP season continued with the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello. On Friday, Marquez impressed during practice as he clocked the sixth fastest time to seal a place in Q2.

In qualifying, Marquez’s best effort put him in fourth place behind the likes of Jorge Martin, Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi, making him the leading Ducati rider.

Marc Marquez reveals new main goal after feeling ‘worse than I thought’

Speaking on Friday after practice, Marquez was happy with how the day went but admitted that he was expecting to feel better than he did on the bike.

The 33-year-old stated that he felt ‘worse’ than he thought and revealed ‘new aches and pains’ he has had to deal with. He also outlined a new goal of his, which is to ‘rebuild’ his arm.

Speaking to Motorsport, via DAZN, Marquez said: “The day went very well because I didn’t feel any tingling, which is what the nerve rubbing against caused. But it’s true that I expected to feel better on the bike.

“I expected to feel better on the bike in FP1, and I felt worse than I thought. But it’s true that when the nerve is working better, there are new aches and pains, and different positions, which I have to adapt to

“I’ll have to be patient; it’s something I’ve learned, although I knew I had to take risks in practice. The goal now is to rebuild my arm.

“Now, we have to see where the limit is for this arm, which has had seven operations from the elbow to the shoulder.

“If you ask a doctor, they don’t really know what the timings are. I have to see how it goes, but above all, with caution, although it’s hard to think about that on the track.”

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Marquez went on to say that his performances should be ‘getting worse’ as the weekend continues, as he is ‘losing time’ in right-hand corners.

Despite this, the Spaniard is adamant that he is ready to take on the challenge of trying to return to his best form.

Marquez added: “Theoretically, I should be getting worse this weekend. I’m still losing time in right-hand corners, and in changes of direction, too.

“I would have signed up to arrive here like this in Le Mans, which isn’t easy. The good thing is that mentally I’m ready to face this process to get back to 100%, whatever that may be.

“That could be in two weeks, a month, or two months. I had two tests after FP1, and if I had had a problem with the nerve, it would have been noticeable immediately.

“When I made the decision to come, it was because there were no contraindications. But we have to see what the maximum is. My body is already showing signs that I’m compensating with my left arm.”