Marc Marquez Confident Ahead of Pre-Season Despite Shoulder Injury
Published: Jan 20, 2026
Arthur Jones
Writer
Marc Marquez says he is feeling stronger and closer to full fitness ahead of the 2026 MotoGP pre-season tests, following a winter spent recovering from a broken right shoulder sustained in Indonesia. The reigning champion expects to be near his peak for the opening race in Thailand.
Marc Marquez has revealed that he is feeling increasingly stronger ahead of the 2026 MotoGP pre-season, though he admits he will only approach full fitness by the season opener in Thailand.
The reigning world champion endured a difficult winter after a crash involving Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi at the Indonesian Grand Prix left him with a broken right shoulder. Following the incident, Marquez returned to Spain and opted for surgery, sidelining him for the final four rounds of the 2025 season.
Speaking at the launch of Ducati’s 2026 MotoGP bike in Madonna di Campiglio, the 32-year-old explained that while his recovery has not been linear, he has made significant progress.
“If you had asked me two weeks ago, I would have said my condition was just so-so,” Marquez told the media, including Motorsport.com. “Recovery always has its ups and downs, but now I am feeling better and better. I don’t know what percentage I am at yet, because I am still trying to gauge what my full 100 percent will feel like. Step by step, though, I am getting there. My target is to be close to full fitness in Thailand, and I think we will achieve that.”
After more than two months without riding, Marquez returned to action on a dirt bike in late December to continue his rehabilitation. He has since completed several laps on a Ducati Panigale at the Apar track in Valencia, but he will have to wait until the Sepang pre-season test on 3-5 February to ride a MotoGP machine again.
Marquez noted that endurance remains his primary challenge, particularly over longer sessions. “I can perform well on the first day, but on the second day, my performance drops. That is what we need to work on — durability over longer distances,” he said. He added that while he expects to feel strong on the first day in Malaysia, maintaining that level across consecutive days will require continued effort in training.
Despite these challenges, the Spaniard appears optimistic and focused, signaling that he is on track to defend his title and start the 2026 season near his peak.
