Marc Marquez makes painful MotoGP title admission after surgery comeback
18:30, 03 Jun
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Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is a MotoGP reporter for GPBlog. With four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries, his experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross as well as F1 and GT racing.
Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez has revealed that he is taking a more cautious approach to racing following his double-surgery setback in Le Mans, and that he has all-but given up hope of competing for the 2026 title.
It's been a difficult year for the Ducati rider after his historic title-winning comeback, and the number 93 has failed to win a race or even finish on the podium since September 2025.
Having returned after his Mandalika crash for a fresh start in 2026 Marquez soon ran into trouble with a 100+mph crash in Texas, followed by another in Jerez and then a brutal high side in Le Mans after which he underwent a double surgery in his shoulder and foot. He made his return at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix in Mugello where he battled heroically to a P7 finish.
However, Marquez currently sits 102 points behind championship leader Marco Bezzecchi. While there is still time left in the season to potentially catch up (if luck goes his way), it seems like a long shot even for the legendary Spaniard.
It's not that I'm here to fight for the title and take points. I'm here to try to be longer in my career.- Marc Marquez
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Marquez not targeting 2026 championship
After the race, Marquez admitted as much, and it seems that he is taking a more experienced and mature attitude towards his recovery and competitive capability. A P7 finish just two weeks after an invasive surgical procedure would be unheard of for most riders, but for Marquez it is a mere stepping stone on the path to getting back near the top.
"I'm happy with the decision I took to come here [Mugello] Because in one part of me, I was like, 'come on, stay at home and come back in Balaton, that is an easier slower track."
"But another part I was saying to myself, 'all your career you give your 100%, so if you are not on the bike with the minimum possibility and with the OK of the doctors, you are not Marc'."
"So for that reason I came back here, and it was a working weekend. I approach it like real work, and the starting point is far from what I want, but we started at some point. [...] Mugello is one of the worst tracks of the calendar, together with Austin, but especially Mugello, for the right arm is super demanding."
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With rumours that he might potentially retire at the end of the 2026 season, it seems that Marc is satisfied to make a more progressive and gradual return rather than aiming to compete for wins right away:
"Balaton, first of all it's left corners. [...] Now the target is try to recover from the effort of this weekend, and approach the Balaton Park as we approached Mugello. Be on the bike and ride in a good way. If I'm here, it's because I want to push my career on. Just because this year I am not enjoying, but last year I was enjoying a lot. [...] Let's see what my physical condition will be in the future. [...] if I'm here, it's not that I'm here to fight for the title and take points. I'm here to try to be longer in my career."
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