'Marc Marquez contract clause revealed that could trigger Ducati exit'

The nine-time world champion has endured a typically rollercoaster season, again flirting with retirement before returning to winning ways and joining the title fight.

The 2025 champion began the season off the pace and at Le Mans in May he was left in tears when a crash resulted in a broken ankle and double surgery.

Marquez candidly admitted to a bent shoulder screw causing him intense pain, and missed the French race and the following Barcelona Grand Prix amid fears he would step away.

Yet it only took two months before he was back to winning ways, and he put pen to paper on a new Ducati deal through to the end of 2028.

However, legendary MotoGP rider manager Carlo Pernat has now said there is a clause in the deal that means he could leave next season if his condition hasn’t improved. The information is not officially confirmed.

"The contract that has been signed is for two years, that is, 1+1,” La Sexta quotes him as saying.

Despite Marquez’s post-Le Mans surgery on his bent shoulder screw appearing to be a success, there are signs he’s still struggling physically.

The 33-year-old had a difficult time at the last race in Silverstone, finishing ninth in the sprint and seventh in the Grand Prix.

Post-race, he then admitted to some physical problems that raised the alarm again.

“Physically I wasn't there, I was at risk of crashing,” he said.

Even with his physical problems, Marquez has dominated teammate Francesco Bagnaia since swapping to a factory Ducati for the 2025 season.

Next year, though, he will be alongside Pedro Acosta, and one of his biggest supporters has suggested things could quickly change.

Experienced Spanish journalist Ricard Jove commented: "I've always maintained that I will never speak, or I will try not to speak, about Marc when he should or shouldn't retire because, frankly, it's his decision, not mine.