Alex Marquez’s start to the 2026 MotoGP season stands in stark contrast to his breakout performances just a year ago, exemplifying how quickly fortunes can change in the world of motorcycle racing.
Last season, Marquez surprised the paddock by excelling on his 2024-spec Gresini Ducati, securing second place in Thailand, Argentina, and America across both sprints and grands prix. His consistent results even saw him briefly lead the championship, and he ultimately finished runner-up after three race wins and a fierce rivalry with his brother, Marc Marquez. His remarkable 2025 form earned him a coveted factory Ducati seat for 2026.
However, the new season has brought unexpected challenges. Marquez failed to finish the season-opening race in Thailand, followed by sixth place in a shortened Brazil contest and seventh in America, leaving him eighth in the standings with just 28 points after three rounds—59 points fewer than at the same stage last year.
“We are struggling,” Marquez admitted. “We are a little bit further back compared to our competitors, especially me, who has a particular style. I’m struggling quite a lot this year. We are trying to make some steps. I’m motivated to make the steps forward and be more competitive, but we are missing a few things still.”
Despite the tough start, Marquez remains optimistic, crediting Ducati’s relentless work ethic and looking ahead to improvements as the season progresses. The unexpected break before the Spanish Grand Prix, due to the postponement of the Qatar round, offers Marquez and the team valuable time to analyze and address their current issues.
“I want to keep working and I’m motivated to take another step forward. I feel it’s close, but we’re missing something. Not racing in Qatar right now is positive; it will let us analyse things better,” he added.
As the MotoGP grid heads to Spain, all eyes will be on whether Marquez and Ducati can rediscover last year’s magic and get their 2026 campaign back on track.
