Marc Marquez Calls Jerez MotoGP 2026 Podium ‘Optimistic’

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo Team described his chances of securing a podium at the 2026 Spanish MotoGP as “optimistic” following Friday practice at Jerez.

The reigning world champion finished fifth in Practice, securing direct progression to Qualifying 2, and confirmed that his shoulder condition has improved after the extended break since COTA. However, he acknowledged that overall performance remains below the level required to challenge at the front.

“It was an acceptable day—not good, not terrible. But we achieved our main objective, which was to get into Q2,” Marquez said, as quoted by GPone.

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“It wasn’t guaranteed, and we still need to keep working if we want to improve and try to fight for the podium.”

Marquez stressed that the current gap to the front-runners is significant, both in single-lap pace and race rhythm, making qualifying a critical factor for the remainder of the weekend.

“At the moment, we are not close. We need to improve, and qualifying tomorrow will be crucial. In terms of pace and fastest lap, we are between fourth and sixth,” he explained.

He identified Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing as the benchmark at Jerez after a dominant showing during practice.

“The reference right now is Alex, both in terms of one-lap performance and race pace,” he added.

Marquez was over half a second slower than his brother and noted deficits in specific sectors of the circuit, particularly sectors two and four.

“The feeling today was not good,” he admitted.

He went further by stating that his current objective is more about maintaining competitiveness rather than attacking for victory.

“I don’t have the potential to attack. At the moment, I have the potential to survive,” Marquez said.

Despite this assessment, he maintained a podium as the target for the weekend, albeit with cautious expectations.

“We’ll see if we can improve tomorrow. The goal is to try to fight for the podium—but it’s an optimistic target. Right now, we’re not even there,” he concluded.

Team-mate Francesco Bagnaia finished sixth, as Ducati and Aprilia Racing riders occupied nine of the top ten positions.

With performance still short of the leading pace, qualifying and the Sprint race will be decisive in determining whether Marquez can reduce the gap and contend for a podium at the 2026 Spanish MotoGP.