Marc Marquez: Thailand Test Crashes & Fitness Ahead of MotoGP Season Start

Buriram, Thailand – Despite battling stomach issues and multiple crashes during pre-season testing at the Chang International Circuit, Marc Marquez appears cautiously optimistic ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season opener at the same track next weekend. The Ducati rider consistently demonstrated competitive pace, ultimately finishing third overall in combined testing times, but acknowledged a need for improved physical conditioning and concentration.

Marquez’s two-day test was punctuated by three separate crashes. The first, on Saturday, he attributed to slippery track conditions caused by fresh white lines. “On the second lap, when I touched the white line before the last corner,” Marquez explained, “Some drivers fell at the start of the test because the road markings were still very slippery.” However, the subsequent two falls were directly linked to his own physical state and mental focus.

“The second crash was my mistake, a failure in concentration,” Marquez stated, revealing he was already feeling the effects of a stomach problem. “I mean, I was really exhausted because of the stomach problems, not focused enough.” Sunday’s crash, occurring during a race simulation in Turn 3, was similarly attributed to a lapse in concentration. He escaped with only a minor scratch on his right forearm.

Despite the setbacks, Marquez posted a fastest lap of 1:28.836 on Sunday morning, placing him just under two tenths of a second behind Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi and Ai Ogura. He completed a total of 52 laps before the final crash brought his testing to an early close.

“All the crashes this weekend were due to errors in concentration,” Marquez reiterated. “Sure, if you’re not focused, you’re over the limit. But I have this instinct to be fast – when I’m fully focused I can control it, otherwise I can’t.”

The 33-year-old, who recently celebrated his birthday, downplayed concerns about age being a factor in his performance, attributing any challenges to the lingering effects of previous injuries. “For me it doesn’t get harder with age, it’s because of the injuries, not age. Mentally I still feel young,” he said. “But of course, injury after injury – that makes the body more and more sluggish. And it takes longer.”

Marquez acknowledged the need to regain full fitness before the season begins. “I can’t give a percentage because I don’t know where the 100 percent is after the injury,” he admitted, referring to his shoulder. “I feel like I still have room for improvement compared to before the last injury.” He estimates needing the next few days to recover energy levels depleted by the stomach issue that hampered his testing.

Looking ahead to the competition, Marquez identified Aprilia, particularly Marco Bezzecchi, as a strong contender. “No, Aprilia especially with Marco. But not just him, because Martin with just one test and Ogura have also taken a step,” he noted. “And Marco was already super fast last year in the second half of the season. He will fight for the title from the start.”

Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia and Marquez’s brother, Alex Marquez, also demonstrated competitive pace during the test, suggesting a potential internal battle within the Ducati camp. Marquez expressed satisfaction with the overall development of his Ducati package. “We’ve done a good job: our package, our basis is fixed,” he said. “I felt really good with the bike. I rode really well all day. The feeling, the qualifying attempt and the race pace were good.”

The Thailand Grand Prix is scheduled for February 27-March 1, marking the official start of the 2026 MotoGP season. Marquez will be looking to translate his testing pace into race-winning form, but acknowledges the need to address his physical condition and maintain unwavering concentration to challenge for the championship.