MARC MARQUEZ ENTERS AUSTRIAN GP AS EXPERTS BACK BEZZECCHI FOR POLE AND A MARQUEZ WIN

Marc Marquez arrives at the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg in strong form, fresh off back-to-back weekends where he took Sprint and Grand Prix wins. With the reigning world champion carrying that momentum into the weekend, MotoGP News’ panel of expert writers has focused on whether his current run can continue on a circuit that has often suited Ducati.

The Red Bull Ring has been a Ducati stronghold since the marque returned to the MotoGP calendar in 2016, with victories at all but one edition of the race weekend. Marquez himself was the man on top of the podium when the grid last visited in 2025, setting the tone for the panel’s predictions for 2026.

For pole position, the experts pointed to Marco Bezzecchi as the standout one-lap threat—while still expecting Marquez to be close enough to challenge. David Comerford backed Bezzecchi for qualifying pace, saying there are “no doubts” about his one-lap ability, but argued that Marquez will be content to ride at “99%” in qualifying as long as he can start near the front, ultimately tipping the Aprilia rider for pole. Tyler Rowlinson also leaned toward Bezzecchi, framing it as a bounce-back moment after a “disheartening” race at Misano, and expecting him to continue his speed “with another pole.” Ashley Hambly, however, predicted a fourth pole of the year for Marquez, noting that Bezzecchi is the only rider to have stood ahead of him in qualifying in recent race weekends, but adding that the confidence Marquez will take from leading the riders’ championship should be enough to deliver pole.

When the panel turned to the Sprint race, Marquez remained the central figure. Comerford predicted Marc would “inevitably” come through in the Sprint, with Alex Marquez continuing his climb up the standings. Rowlinson also backed Marc for the win, describing him as “the king of the Sprints” at the moment, with Alex Marquez second and Bezzecchi third. Hambly went further on the podium composition, expecting an all-Ducati result after the Sprint and highlighting Francesco Bagnaia as the rider she expects to “surprise” in particular, while stressing that “no one will be able to compete with the Marquez brothers.”

For Sunday’s Grand Prix, the experts again split between Marquez’s title-run momentum and the possibility of disruption from other championship contenders. Comerford predicted Marquez would keep flowing into race day, describing him as “unlocking that flow state” seen in “all-time greats” during a championship run-in, and backed him to beat Bezzecchi on Sunday. Comerford also pointed to Fermin Aldeguer as a likely repeat podium finisher, referencing his “brilliant” Misano performance and saying he will do it again.

Rowlinson’s view leaned toward a potential shock, backing Alex Marquez for his second win of the year and expecting Bezzecchi to finish second. Rowlinson also predicted Pedro Acosta to secure another strong podium. By contrast, Ashley Hambly suggested the biggest threat to Marc Marquez might be “himself,” arguing that if Marquez doesn’t convert the weekend into a finish, it could open the door for Jorge Martin to reclaim the top spot in the standings.

The panel’s “biggest surprise” picks reflected those same storylines, but with different angles. Comerford named Fermin Aldeguer, pointing out that the Gresini rider hasn’t had a podium since Barcelona and that he is riding a “year-old bike,” which Comerford suggested could be enough to explain why he qualifies for the prediction. Rowlinson also flagged Marc Marquez as the surprise—though in a negative sense—expressing doubts about whether he can keep his momentum because Austria’s layout is “predominantly right-handers.” Rowlinson added that with Martin struggling with arm pump, Martin may be forced into damage limitation, potentially allowing him to still lead the championship.

Finally, Hambly’s surprise pick was Francesco Bagnaia. She described him as the most successful rider on the grid at Austria, but said he is currently in a “black hole” regarding his feel for Ducati’s GP26. Hambly compared his situation to Motegi last year, calling his current form “rock bottom” and suggesting that a podium at the Red Bull Ring would be a “massive shock.”