Neil Hodgson has expressed strong confidence that Alex Marquez is the foremost competitor for his brother Marc Marquez’s 2026 MotoGP crown after impressive pre-season performances. The Marquez siblings made history last year by finishing first and second in the premier class standings, with Marc clinching the 2025 championship early and Alex closing the gap significantly during the final races.
Marc Marquez secured his 2025 title with a record five rounds remaining, while Alex finished the season 78 points behind. Despite missing the last four races due to injury, Marc’s absence allowed Alex to outperform other riders and narrow the points difference, especially by scoring the most points over the last five rounds. This momentum has set the stage for a compelling rivalry heading into 2026.
Pre-Season Testing Highlights Alex Marquez’s Potential to Challenge Marc
Hodgson noted that Alex’s pace during test sessions in Sepang and Buriram sent a clear signal that he intends to mount a serious challenge to Marc’s dominance. At Sepang, Alex posted the fastest race simulation pace and followed up with the third-best performance in Thailand, indicating his readiness to compete at the highest level.
While Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati and Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi remain strong contenders, Hodgson regards Alex Marquez as the principal challenger.
“I think everyone agrees that Marc Marquez is starting the season as [the] favourite after his triumph in the previous campaign,”
Hodgson said in an interview with TNT Sports.
“There are a couple of challengers for his crown. I think after the two test weekends this season, Gresini rider Alex Marquez, his brother, is his main threat, but it’s not just him.”
He added,
“Pecco Bagnaia, who had an awful time of things last year, definitely looks to have improved. And then Aprilia have made some big leaps forward, so I think that Marco Bezzecchi has thrown his hat into the ring as a real contender, too.”
“But before the season, it’s hard to look past Alex as the main challenger to his older sibling. To some extent, those are the obvious answers.”
About the other contenders, Hodgson remarked,
“Bezzecchi showed flashes of his ability throughout the season. Alex was second overall, so it’s no surprise if he is strong again this season. As for Bagnaia, he’s a two-time MotoGP world champion, so we can never rule out a comeback.”
Francesco Bagnaia’s Challenge Depends on Sustained Pre-Season Form
Alex Marquez has acknowledged that he did not expect to vie for the 2025 championship before the season began. The 29-year-old transformed from a rider on the periphery of podium finishes to a consistent podium contender, scoring 12 podiums in 22 races and securing his maiden victory in Spain at Jerez, followed by wins in Barcelona and Malaysia.
Bagnaia, on the other hand, recorded his first race victory of the 2025 season in the United States only after Marc Marquez crashed from the lead. Although the two-time champion achieved a legitimate win at the Japanese Grand Prix, that race marked his only finish in the last seven rounds of the campaign.
Entering 2026, Bagnaia shows renewed confidence and pace aboard Ducati’s latest bike, impressing rivals with consistency during Sepang testing. Aprilia’s CEO Massimo Rivola even remarked that rivals could “go home” after witnessing Bagnaia’s race speed in pre-season evaluations.
Yet, Bagnaia faces the crucial task of proving his speed translates into competitiveness during actual race events, seeking to close the 257-point gap he retained behind Marc Marquez following the 2025 season.
Significance of the Emerging Rivalry and Outlook for MotoGP 2026
The rising rivalry between Alex and Marc Marquez adds a compelling narrative to the upcoming season, promising intense competition at the front of the MotoGP field. Alex’s considerable improvement and testing performance strengthen his position as the key Marc Marquez 2026 rival, signaling that the sibling contest could define the year’s championship battle.
Alongside Alex, riders like Bagnaia and Bezzecchi will also aim to disrupt Marc’s pursuit of further titles, which may elevate the racing standard and unpredictability throughout the season. Fans and analysts alike will closely watch how these developments unfold, anticipating fierce battles on tracks around the world.
