MARQUEZ WANTS FITNESS TALK TO STAY QUIET AS TITLE NEARS

Marc Marquez is closing in on a 10th Grand Prix title after a remarkable recovery from injury, but he is keen to keep attention away from his physical condition.

The Ducati rider began 2026 carrying damage from a shoulder injury sustained at Mandalika the previous year. The problem was causing nerve damage in his right arm, though he kept that detail private and tried to race through it. A broken foot in a Le Mans crash eventually forced him to undergo surgery. His fitness remained a concern, and Aprilia had not expected him to contend for the championship given his injuries.

Marquez returned at Mugello 102 points behind. Since then, he has won seven races and built a 60-point advantage over Jorge Martin after the Qatar Grand Prix. A Sprint victory in Portugal would be enough to secure the title. He is also poised to move ahead of long-time rival Valentino Rossi in premier-class championships.

Despite his progress, Marquez is not yet fully fit. After his Sepang win, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi acknowledged that he was still suffering. Marquez, however, welcomed the fact that discussion of his condition had eased. Speaking to DAZN after Qatar, he said: “I have managed to ensure that after Aragon no one talked about my physique, and we will continue not to talk about it.”

He is wary of the challenges in the final two rounds, Portugal and Valencia, and described the conditions as a potential hazard. “It’s one of those circuits where extreme conditions occur. We’ll be there practically at the end of November, beginning of December,” he said. “That means cold, low temperatures, and possibly rain. A very technical circuit, spectacular at the same time, but one of the easiest to make mistakes on.”

After taking extra risks in recent races, Marquez plans to ease back and conserve energy as he pursues the championship. His priority is to finish the season successfully without adding unnecessary strain or injury.