Marc Marquez Admits He’s Not Ready for a Top 5 at the 2026 Italian MotoGP

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Marc Marquez Admits He’s Not Ready for a Top-Five Finish at the Italian MotoGP, Focuses on Recovery

Marc Marquez Returns to MotoGP After Injury Layoff

Marc Marquez has officially returned to MotoGP action after missing the French Grand Prix race and the entire Catalan GP weekend due to injury. His comeback at Mugello has become one of the most anticipated moments of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.

Despite securing a direct spot in Q2 by finishing sixth in Friday’s practice session, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider admitted that his current performance level is still far from ideal. He even stated that he is not yet fast enough to compete for a top-five finish.

Marquez Refuses to Set High Expectations in Mugello

Focused on Recovery, Not Results

Marquez emphasized that patience is key during his recovery process. While he feels mentally ready to return to racing, his physical condition is still not strong enough to perform at a competitive level.

He explained that once he puts on the helmet and rides on track, the challenge becomes much greater compared to how he feels off the bike. His naturally aggressive riding style also makes the situation more difficult to manage.

The Spanish rider admitted that he took some risks during a fast lap in practice. However, he stressed that his main goal right now is not chasing positions or lap times, but rather making steady progress session by session.

Shoulder Condition Still a Major Concern

Successful Surgery, But Adaptation Still Ongoing

Marquez revealed that his recent shoulder surgery successfully resolved the main issue that had been troubling him since the start of the season. A displaced screw had caused friction with the radial nerve, significantly affecting his riding performance.

However, he admitted that he still does not feel fully comfortable on the Desmosedici GP. In fact, the sensations he experienced during the first practice session were worse than he had expected before the race weekend began.

Now that the nerve is functioning better again, new types of discomfort and pain have emerged. As a result, he needs time to adapt to a different riding position, and this adjustment process is expected to take time before he can return to peak condition.

Marquez Predicts Performance Drop Over the Weekend

Marquez also warned that his physical condition could worsen as the race weekend progresses. Increasing fatigue may lead to a slight drop in performance compared to earlier sessions.

He admitted that he is still losing time, especially in right-hand corners and during direction changes. Because of this, he is prepared to accept any result, even if it means starting from a less favorable grid position.

For the nine-time world champion, the main priority right now is rebuilding strength in his right arm, which has undergone multiple surgeries throughout his career. He wants to understand his current physical limits before setting any performance targets.

Current Situation Similar to Early 2026 Season

Still Unsure of His Maximum Potential

Marquez believes his current condition is similar to the early stages of the 2026 season, when he was still trying to understand the full impact of his previous injuries.

He admitted that he still does not know what his true 100% performance level looks like at this stage. Therefore, he prefers to take a gradual approach without setting unrealistic expectations.

Despite the uncertainty, Marquez remains optimistic. His motivation and competitive spirit are still very strong. Now, it is only a matter of time before he finds out whether he can return to his best level.

According to him, the answer could come within a few weeks—or it might take several months.

Conclusion

Marc Marquez’s return to the 2026 Italian MotoGP has brought excitement among fans. However, the Ducati rider remains realistic, acknowledging that he is not yet ready to fight at the front.

Although he managed to reach Q2 in Mugello, his main focus is not on winning or securing a podium finish, but on ensuring a full physical recovery. With his mental strength already back, Marquez hopes to gradually regain his best form and once again become a top contender in MotoGP.Kalau kamu mau, saya juga bisa bantu buat headline clickbait untuk Google Discover atau versi yang lebih “viral-friendly”.

Share :