Despite Marc Marquez’s confidence that the 2026 MotoGP title race remains wide open, he admits Marco Bezzecchi’s dominant start to the season has caught his attention.
The Aprilia rider hasn’t just won the opening three races of 2026 – he’s led every single lap, continuing a run that stretches back to the end of last season. After winning the final two rounds of 2025, Bezzecchi now sits at 121 consecutive laps led in Grand Prix competition.
Marquez has yet to step onto the podium this year, with his best finish so far being fourth place in Brazil. In Goiania, he was running third before sliding wide and allowing Fabio Di Giannantonio through. That followed a retirement in Thailand due to a puncture, leaving Marquez already 36 points behind Bezzecchi despite his rival’s Sprint Race crashes.
Bezzecchi has taken command of the 2026 MotoGP standings, sitting on 81 points. The Rimini native holds a narrow lead over teammate Jorge Martin, who finished second in both Brazil and America. Marquez is fifth in the standings with 45 points.
With only three rounds completed in the season, Marquez still sees himself in the title hunt as he heads into Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. However, Bezzecchi’s streak of leading every lap across five consecutive Grands Prix has left him feeling uneasy going into Jerez.
Marquez said, via quotes by Motorsport.com: “Well, right now, we’re far away. We are at 36 points from three races. They’ve built a big lead, but there’s still a lot to play for.
“The point is that Bezzecchi led every lap of every race on the Sundays, and that’s the most worrying thing. So, we will try to stop the favourites, which for the title right now are Aprilia with Bezzecchi and Martin.”
The Spaniard is still recovering from a shoulder injury and had little time for his arm to heal before his crash at COTA left him with an abrasion on his right forearm.
The front end of his GP26 gave way after he hit a bump at Turn 10 during practice while coming over the crest of the hill. He skidded through gravel and ended up reaching the air fence.
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