MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Marc Marquez and the Ducati Lenovo Team endured a dramatic start to the 2026 United States MotoGP at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) following a high-speed crash during Friday running.
The incident occurred on his fourth lap of FP1, when Marquez lost control at Turn 10, one of the circuit’s fastest and most technical sections. The reigning world champion later admitted that an overly aggressive approach was the key factor, particularly at a venue known for its constantly evolving surface due to bumps.
Under still-developing track conditions, Marquez slid through the gravel before impacting the barrier at approximately 190 km/h. Despite sustaining notable pain in his neck and back, the Spaniard returned to the track in the closing stages of FP1 and set a competitive lap time.
“I made a big mistake in the morning. I believed too much in the track, in the bike, and in myself.”
“Austin is a very nice circuit, but every year there are new bumps. Turn 10 is one of my favourite corners, I ride there automatically based on past years, but this time the conditions were different.”
Following the crash, Marquez adopted a significantly more conservative approach during the afternoon Practice session. He focused on running used medium tyres to better understand grip limitations on a slippery surface, as multiple riders were caught out by low traction conditions.
In a session disrupted by frequent yellow flags, Marquez demonstrated improved risk management by avoiding further incidents. Gradually rebuilding confidence, he recovered his rhythm and extracted performance from the Desmosedici GP package.
During the time attack phase, Marquez traded fastest laps with fellow Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, who remained competitive throughout the day. However, Marquez ultimately came out on top, reversing the outcome from the previous race weekend.
Elsewhere, Trackhouse Racing rider Ai Ogura secured an impressive second position, underlining Aprilia’s growing competitiveness in mixed conditions. Meanwhile, Marquez’s team-mate Francesco Bagnaia finished eighth, which was sufficient to guarantee direct entry into Q2.
“I was very calm in the afternoon because of the crash in the morning. There were many yellow flags and the grip was very low, especially on the front tyre.”
“Step by step, I came back to my normal feeling, and I’m happy with our day even if we didn’t start in the best way.”
Looking ahead, cooler temperatures expected on Saturday are likely to alter both tyre behaviour and overall bike performance. This will require careful strategic adjustments from Ducati as teams prepare for qualifying and race conditions.
Marquez now faces a dual challenge: managing his physical condition after a heavy crash while maintaining performance on a circuit that continues to evolve. With competition intensifying among Ducati riders and Aprilia’s upward trajectory, the COTA weekend represents a critical phase in shaping the 2026 MotoGP title battle heading into the next round.
Baca Juga
Marc Marquez pimpin Practice MotoGP Amerika 2026 di COTA usai crash besar, dalam sesi penuh insiden dan strategi ban krusial.
Maverick Vinales jalani operasi bahu usai MotoGP Amerika 2026, jelaskan sekrup longgar dan dampaknya ke rencana musim 2027.
Marc Marquez jelaskan crash COTA MotoGP 2026 akibat kesalahan besar dan adaptasi lintasan bergelombang di Austin.
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