Marc Marquez has revealed that the pivotal moment in his 2026 MotoGP championship campaign came at July’s Sachsenring Grand Prix, where he first believed a title fight was within reach after a challenging start to the season.
From Injury Setback to Winning Streak
The reigning champion was still without a Sunday win and 102 points adrift following his low-key return from shoulder surgery at Mugello. But everything changed at Sachsenring, where double victories at Balaton Park and a subsequent charge saw Marquez claim five wins from eight races.
During the same period, rival Marco Bezzecchi failed to finish a Grand Prix, and Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin only managed a single podium.
“We Were in the Game Again”
Speaking ahead of the upcoming Qatar round, Marquez said:
“The Sachsenring GP is when I started to feel that we were in the game again, that we were in the title fight. After Mugello, I was super far, but then my opponents gave me a chance to fight for the championship.”
He emphasized that improved speed, support from Ducati, and a growing confidence with the bike all contributed to his resurgence:
“Ducati helped me with new things, my feeling with the bike was better, and then we increased our speed.”
Title on the Line
This weekend in Qatar, Marquez must outscore the injured Jorge Martin by 30 points out of 37 available, while also gaining on Bezzecchi, to clinch the title before the final two races at Portimao and Valencia.
Despite the stakes, Marquez is keeping a level head:
“I feel exactly the same… maybe some people think that it’s closer, but in my mind, it’s still far, still a lot of work to do.”
As he eyes another championship, Marquez’s determination and self-belief remain as strong as ever—qualities that have fueled his remarkable comeback in the second half of the season.
