Davide Tardozzi Calls Marc Marquez a Superhero After Racing Through Shoulder Injury in MotoGP 2026

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Marc Marquez will miss the 2026 Catalan MotoGP after undergoing planned shoulder surgery, with Ducati Lenovo Team boss Davide Tardozzi confirming the operation was successful but the recovery timeline remains uncertain.

Speaking in an official interview with MotoGP.com at the Catalunya paddock, Tardozzi explained that Marquez is currently entering the next stage of rehabilitation and Ducati will wait for further medical evaluations before deciding when the eight-time world champion can safely return to competition.

“The surgery went good and now we have to wait for the next step with the doctors. We have to wait until everything gets well,” Tardozzi said.

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Marquez’s absence represents a significant setback for Ducati during a critical stage of the 2026 season. Despite competing with severe shoulder discomfort since the opening rounds, the Spaniard remained one of the fastest riders in Sprint races and consistently fought near the front on Saturdays, even while struggling physically over full Grand Prix distances.

The physical limitation helps explain the contrasting performance pattern seen across recent race weekends. Marquez continued extracting strong one-lap pace and aggressive braking performance from the Ducati Desmosedici GP26, but the longer Sunday races exposed the strain placed on his upper body, particularly during heavy braking zones, rapid direction changes, and tyre management phases under high aerodynamic load.

“Knowing what happened and what the doctors told us, I think Marc showed again that he is a superhero and a super rider. With his body condition, I guess nobody else could do what he did,” Tardozzi added.

From a technical perspective, Ducati could also lose one of its most valuable development references during the upcoming European rounds. Marquez has played an increasingly important role in evaluating front-end stability, braking balance, and electronic behaviour under extreme race conditions. His absence may temporarily affect Ducati’s setup development direction ahead of crucial races such as Mugello and Assen.

Tardozzi also admitted Ducati currently has no clear estimate regarding Marquez’s comeback date. The Italian manufacturer is still waiting for medical feedback before confirming whether the Spaniard will be fit for the next round at Mugello.

“We do not know. It’s impossible right now to say in how many days he will return. We have to wait,” Tardozzi explained.

Under MotoGP regulations, Ducati is not required to replace Marquez immediately because Catalunya forms part of a back-to-back race sequence. However, the team is expected to appoint a substitute rider if the recovery period extends beyond the current weekend.

Michele Pirro remains the leading candidate due to his role as Ducati test rider, while WorldSBK contender Nicolo Bulega has also emerged as a possible option should Ducati require a longer-term replacement.

Marquez’s recovery could become one of the defining factors in the 2026 MotoGP title fight. Ducati still holds strong momentum in the constructors’ standings, but the absence of one of its fastest riders may significantly alter the competitive balance heading deeper into the European phase of the championship.

Source: Official MotoGP.com interview with Davide Tardozzi during the 2026 Catalan MotoGP weekend.