Marc Marquez, reigning MotoGP world champion, has cautioned that the 2026 MotoGP season could be more intense than ever, highlighting the evolving challenges he expects in the new year. As speculation around 2026 MotoGP season predictions grows, Marquez outlined the strong competition he anticipates facing, setting the stage for what many are calling a defining year in MotoGP.
Marquez Reflects on Historic 2025 Campaign and Achievements
The 32-year-old Spaniard enters 2026 as Ducati’s lead rider and the sport’s reigning champion, following an extraordinary 2025 campaign. Marquez secured 11 grand prix victories and 14 sprint race wins, earning seven consecutive 37-point weekends between Aragon and Hungary. This dominant stretch delivered his seventh premier class championship title, placing him alongside the legendary Valentino Rossi and just one title behind Giacomo Agostini’s record of eight world crowns.
Marc Marquez’s journey to the top in 2025 was marked by sustained excellence, but he remains cautious about assuming continued dominance. While he is widely viewed as the favourite for the next season—especially as 2026 marks the final year of the 1000cc MotoGP formula—Marquez insists no championship is won before a wheel is turned.
Anticipating Fierce Competition in the 2026 Season
Marquez shared with El Periodico that success in one season does not guarantee repeated triumph the following year, pointing to the unpredictability and heightened scrutiny that champions face. He emphasized the importance of winter preparation and acknowledged the elite group of competitors who are expected to challenge him in 2026.
He identified Alex Marquez, the previous year’s runner-up and his own brother, as a central rival. Marco Bezzecchi, who ended the 2025 season in strong form and broke into the top three of the riders’ rankings, was also singled out as a potential threat. Additionally, two-time MotoGP champion Pecco Bagnaia, who rides the same Ducati machinery, remains a formidable opponent for the coming year.
We’re expecting a very intense season, especially the first part.
—Marc Marquez, Reigning MotoGP World Champion
Manufacturers and Riders to Watch
The upcoming season is expected to feature not only close battles among top riders but also intensifying competition between manufacturers. Ducati faces new pressure from Aprilia, which enjoyed its best-ever MotoGP season in 2025 by achieving four grand prix victories and finishing second in the manufacturers’ standings. Marco Bezzecchi’s rise within Aprilia’s ranks adds further intrigue, as he emerged as a major challenger in the title race.
Marquez’s Recovery and Looking Ahead
Marquez’s conclusion to the 2025 season was disrupted by a complicated shoulder injury sustained in a collision with Marco Bezzecchi during the Indonesian Grand Prix. Despite missing the concluding four rounds, Marquez still outpaced Alex Marquez by 78 points and maintained a 192-point advantage over Bezzecchi. His recovery is progressing, and he intends to participate in the first pre-season test of 2026 at Sepang in February. The battle among the world champion, the rising talents, and the strengthened manufacturers sets the stage for an electric start to the next championship.
With intense rivalries and shifting strengths among teams and riders, the 2026 MotoGP season predictions suggest a fiercely competitive year lies ahead. The stakes are high as riders seek to etch their names into the sport’s history books during this pivotal season.
