During the recent Gresini team unveiling event in Kuala Lumpur, Alex Marquez stepped in to fill the gap left by the injured Aldeguer, representing the outfit for the upcoming 2026 season. Having emerged as the standout performer of last year’s championship, Marquez has become a highly sought-after rider in the 2027 transfer market. Despite entertaining interest from other teams, he reaffirmed his contentment with Gresini, a squad that has steadily evolved beyond the ‘satellite’ label by nurturing fresh talent and reinstating former champions like his brother, Marc Marquez.
Rising Expectations After Last Season’s Close Fight
Marquez’s impressive pursuit of his brother for the championship crown last season earned him a significant upgrade for 2026—the official Ducati GP26. This reward recognizes his progress, although Marquez still views his near-miss with a hint of irony:
In the end, I lost (to Marc, ed.), and I’m the first of the losers.
He considers this loss a driving force for further improvement as he chases his enduring ambition: clinching the premier class world title.
Mental Preparation and Winter Training Reflections
Reflecting on the off-season, Marquez expressed satisfaction with his current state, especially as pre-season testing is underway:
I’m happy to be here, especially with testing already underway,
It’s been a relaxed winter. I was quite mentally tired at the end of the season, and in the last two races I was a bit at my limit, but in December I started training again, and now I’m preparing to face testing and the first race in the best possible way.
When asked if finishing second in the championship changed how he approached winter, Marquez reiterated that despite the progress, the sting of defeat remains:
Yes, but in the end, I lost! (laughs and repeats). As I always say, I was the first of the losers, so you have to improve to win the title and have more options, especially with an opponent like Marc. He was on point halfway through the season, we lost points, and then there was also the injury, among other things. I’ll try to focus on improving, especially on the negative aspects, to be more complete as a rider and as a team.
Identifying Areas for Improvement Ahead of the Season
Marquez revealed that despite strong performances on certain circuits, difficulties remain at specific tracks with heavy braking demands. He’s targeting these weaknesses for improvement during upcoming testing sessions in Thailand:
We still struggle too much on some circuits, especially where there are a lot of braking points. We are trying to analyze everything and have come to a conclusion, which is what we will work on in Thailand to prevent these problems from recurring. We will try to improve the feeling in our hands because we have been fast on some tracks, but we need to improve at Motegi, Austria, and Hungary.
Continuing to Surpass Expectations with Satellite Team Mentality
Marquez recalled his sister Nadia’s earlier advice to aim for top-five finishes and noted how last season, his team surpassed those expectations. Looking ahead, he anticipates a similar, if not higher, standard:
(Laughs) Nothing yet, I think she’ll tell me to do the same, to be there. For a satellite team, it’s always nice to be on the podium. In the last championship, we exceeded expectations. We handled many situations intelligently, so we’ll have to have the same mentality, with better ingredients and better bikes, to be able to extract all the potential by working closely with Ducati.
Partnership with Ducati Remains Strong Amid Factory Status
Despite his official factory rider status this year, Marquez described the ongoing relationship with Ducati and technical director Dall’Igna as steady and supportive. The team benefits from increased data sharing and collaborative efforts aimed at maximizing bike potential:
It’s the same as always. It doesn’t matter if you have the new bike or the previous one, the Ducati staff helps us, and that makes a difference. But now we have more data and more information, so we’ll have to extract the potential and do better than last year.
Motivation and Pressure Linked to Factory Rider Role
Marquez acknowledged that while becoming a factory rider adds motivation, it does not increase pressure. He noted that having the factory bike offers reassurance through continuous improvements during the season, contrasting with the challenges satellite teams face with unchangeable equipment:
No, I think being a factory rider is extra motivation. Last year we were lucky because we didn’t have any problems and the progress made by our rivals came too late. If you started the season like in 2023, knowing you had problems, you know you’ll have this bike for the whole season, and that’s difficult for a rider to accept. With the factory bike, on the other hand, you know that during the season you’ll have things to improve, solutions, and that gives you more peace of mind as a rider.
The Importance of Factory Equipment Amid Intensified Rivalry
Marquez stressed that possessing a factory bike remains essential, particularly in a year where competitor manufacturers such as Honda, KTM, and Yamaha are making significant advancements. He anticipates a highly competitive season under the current rules as rivals intensify their development efforts:
Having the factory bike is always necessary, no matter what year it is! (Laughs). But maybe this year it will be even more so. It will be interesting to see how much our rivals improve, how much they want to invest again in the last season with the current rules. It seems that both Honda and KTM are making progress, Yamaha is trying many things, everyone wants to be up to par and be there.
Navigating the 2027 Rider Market and Future Plans
Regarding the upcoming 2027 rider market, Marquez described it as unpredictable due to impending regulation changes that may reshape the competitive landscape. While he acknowledged the allure of factory seats, he expressed loyalty to Gresini and a methodical approach to considering future moves when all options are clear:
I think the market for 2027 is pretty crazy and many will be thinking about making changes, and the change in regulations will open up many options for the future and for all riders. If there is a time to take risks, it will be 2027 because no one knows what the balance will be. All the manufacturers will tell you they have the best bike, but no one can know that. Obviously, the motivation and expectations are always to be in a factory team, but I’m very happy at Gresini, and when I have all the options in front of me, I’ll choose the best one for my future. It’s difficult for me to talk about 2027, there’s still a long way to go, but that’s how the market is, and I think many riders will already have settled by the first race.
What Lies Ahead for Alex Marquez and Gresini
Alex Marquez’s 2026 campaign with Gresini will be closely watched after his strong runner-up finish last season and promotion to a factory Ducati. His commitment to refining his performance on challenging circuits and leveraging improved bike data will be crucial for his world title aspirations. Meanwhile, the battle among manufacturers intensifies, setting the stage for a fierce competition where having factory backing could prove decisive. As the 2027 market looms with new regulations and unpredictability, Marquez’s thoughtful stance on future moves reflects the high stakes and evolving dynamics within MotoGP.
