Marc Marquez Turned Down One-Year Ducati MotoGP Deal

Marc Marquez has revealed that a one-year contract extension with the Ducati Lenovo Team was available before both parties ultimately agreed on a two-year deal that will keep him at the factory until the end of the 2028 MotoGP season.

The reigning world champion explained that a shorter agreement was seriously considered while questions remained over the long-term condition of his right shoulder following multiple injuries and surgery.

"It was there on the table. But in the end, the best option for the project was a two-year contract."

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Marquez stressed that Ducati was always his preferred destination. Negotiations began during the previous season before being temporarily paused while he waited to assess the recovery of his shoulder after the Indonesian Grand Prix.

"Ducati was always my first option. We started talking last season, then we stopped because I needed to know after Indonesia how my right shoulder would be."

The Spaniard admitted he had been genuinely concerned about losing strength in his right arm following surgery earlier this year. He explained that every operation carries uncertainty over how much performance a rider may permanently lose.

"I was scared. In every surgery you lose some percentage. Sometimes you lose five percent and you don't feel it. Sometimes you lose much more."

"My right arm was gradually losing more percentage compared to the left side of my body. That was why I wanted to wait before deciding my future. If I lost much more, I wouldn't be able to ride the bike."

Following his latest operation, Marquez believes his physical condition has recovered to an acceptable level. Although he described the first part of the 2026 season as a disaster, he now feels capable of continuing to compete at the highest level.

"Now it looks like, after the last surgery, the percentage has returned to a more or less acceptable level to keep going and keep enjoying my passion."

The decision to sign a two-year extension reinforces Marquez's long-term commitment to Ducati ahead of MotoGP's new technical regulations in 2027. He will be partnered by Pedro Acosta next season and arrives at Assen having reduced championship leader Marco Bezzecchi's advantage to just 40 points after consecutive victories.