Marc Marquez proving his ‘DNA remains intact’ despite difficult start to 2026 MotoGP season
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images Marc Marquez hasn’t had the start to 2026 that he’d hoped for, but even with injury issues holding him back, there have been glimpses of what he’s still capable of. Through the opening three rounds, Marquez has yet to reach the Grand Prix podium. He did manage a Sprint win in Brazil, but over a full race distance, he’s been unable to match Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia, who have strung together five straight wins.
He’s still not fully fit either. The right shoulder injury he picked up in Mandalika last season continues to bother him, something he acknowledged again in Austin. The weekend didn’t go smoothly either.
Marquez crashed during practice, picking up a knock on his right forearm. In qualifying, teammate Francesco Bagnaia outpaced him before Marquez took out Fabio Di Giannantonio during the Sprint. A long lap penalty followed by a P5 finish summed up his Sunday.
Afterwards, Marquez didn’t hide from how tough things had been, describing both himself and the GP26 as ‘critical’. It hasn’t been the title defence start he would have wanted, but it doesn’t feel like all hope is lost just yet. Following his 2026 US Grand Prix result and difficult start to his title defence campaign so far this year with Ducati, Marc Marquez admitted that things were not good for either himself or Ducati.
In fact, the word ‘critical’ was used when assessing both situations. Photo by Klaus Pressberger/SEPA. Media /Getty Images Marc Marquez shows he’s still got it, despite a tough start to the 2026 season After being hit with a long lap penalty in Austin, Marc Marquez found himself well down the order, and any hopes of a podium finish quickly faded.