Marc Márquez says preparing for each new MotoGP season is becoming harder due to past injuries rather than age. The Ducati rider explained recovery now takes longer after multiple operations, including a recent shoulder issue. Despite this, he completed pre-season testing and continues evaluating his fitness before agreeing a new contract.
Alex Márquez believes Ducati riders may struggle to pass rivals at the Thai MotoGP despite strong top speed. He said bikes from Aprilia and Honda now reach similar speeds on the straights, reducing Ducati’s traditional advantage. With Buriram featuring long power sections, he expects overtaking to be harder during the season opener.
Marc Márquez enters the 2026 MotoGP season with several historic records in reach. Another title would move him closer to Giacomo Agostini’s premier-class championship mark, while strong results could also push him nearer Valentino Rossi’s wins total. After his 2025 title comeback, the Spaniard begins the new season among the favourites again. Read more: Motorsport reports
Alvaro Bautista said wet conditions turned WorldSBK Race 2 at Phillip Island into a “lottery”. Poor visibility and changing grip made the race difficult for riders, but he secured third place for Barni Ducati. Bautista added he focused on staying safe and finishing the race as teams coped with unpredictable weather.
Joan Mir says Honda’s 2026 MotoGP bike is not competitive enough after pre-season testing. The rider pointed to a lack of grip as the main weakness and believes only major development can fix it. He added Ducati and Aprilia currently operate at a higher level, leaving Honda starting the season behind its main rivals.
MotoGP is close to approving a €500,000 minimum salary for all full-time riders from the 2027 season. The rule would include rookies and aims to reduce the large pay gap across the grid. Top earners currently make over €10 million annually, while some satellite riders receive far less on basic contracts.
Fabio Quartararo encouraged MotoGP rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu during the Buriram test as the Turkish rider struggled to adapt to the bike and Michelin tyres. Quartararo told him to stay calm and take time to adjust. Razgatlioglu admitted he is still learning and finding confidence after finishing near the bottom of the timesheets.
Toprak Razgatlioglu says he is still learning the limits of the MotoGP bike before his first race. The Pramac Yamaha rider admitted he does not yet trust the Michelin front tyre and struggled for pace during the Buriram test. He believes understanding the limits, even through mistakes, will be key to improving performance.
Ducati says Marc Márquez’s crashes during the Buriram MotoGP test will not affect his performance at the season opener. Team boss Davide Tardozzi backed the reigning champion as a title contender despite the incidents, which Márquez linked to fitness and concentration. The Spaniard still finished third overall, while Ducati reported positive progress with the GP26.
Marc Márquez finished third overall on the final day of the Buriram MotoGP pre-season test despite suffering multiple crashes during the weekend. The Ducati rider showed strong pace in long runs before a fall ended his session early. He said the incidents were caused by tiredness and loss of concentration, but he remained satisfied with the bike’s performance ahead of the opener.