MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Marc Marquez says preparing for each new MotoGP season is becoming “harder” not because of age, but due to the cumulative impact of injuries, as the reigning champion begins 2026 with Ducati Corse.
The factory Ducati rider dominated the 2025 campaign with 11 grand prix victories en route to his seventh premier class title, his first in six years. The triumph came five years after the career-threatening arm injury he sustained at the start of the 2020 season, a setback that reshaped the trajectory of his career.
Now 33, Marquez insists age is not the limiting factor. Instead, he points to the physical toll of repeated injuries, most recently a complicated shoulder fracture suffered following a collision with Marco Bezzecchi at last October’s Indonesian Grand Prix. Initially treated conservatively, the injury ultimately required surgery after insufficient healing progress, ruling him out for the remainder of 2025.
“For me, it’s not getting harder with age; it’s getting harder with the injuries. Not with age.
“In the end, I still feel young mentally.
“But it’s true that with one injury and then another and another, my body gets lazier and lazier, and it takes more time to recover.
“That’s why this winter was super long, and we are still working on it.
“It’s true that after the Thailand race we have two more weeks [to recover].
“So, let’s see if we can continue that evolution.”
Marquez returned to on-track riding in January and completed the Buriram pre-season test without major issues. However, he acknowledged that a new contract agreement with Ducati had not yet been finalised, as he continues to evaluate the long-term stability of his shoulder before committing to an extended deal.
Ducati is understood to be pushing for a two-year contract extension ahead of the Thai season opener. In the evolving rider market landscape, Marquez is expected to be joined by Pedro Acosta in future line-ups, while current Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia has been linked with a move to Aprilia Racing.
With physical recovery still an active process and contractual discussions ongoing, the Buriram opener will provide the first competitive indication of whether Marquez can sustain his 2025 dominance or face a more complex title defence in 2026.
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The official 2026 MotoGP calendar features 22 rounds, including the return of the Brazilian Grand Prix and a season opener in Thailand.
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