P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Reigning MotoGP champion explains why his brother tops the list of 2026 rivals, and why Bagnaia comes before Bezzecchi.
Marc Marquez views his younger brother Alex as the primary contender for the 2026 MotoGP World Championship title, pointing to his impressive performances last season. Alex Marquez achieved a runner-up finish against Marc 17 times in the previous year, including a victory at Silverstone Sprint and breaking Marc’s winning streak at the Catalan Grand Prix. Alex has secured factory-spec Ducati machinery for the 2026 season as a reward for his successful campaign. Despite acknowledging Alex as a strong rival, Marc also highlighted Franceso Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi as formidable opponents in the upcoming championship. The pressure is on for Marc Marquez to compete for an eighth premier-class title, especially with strong competition expected from improved rivals like Aprilia and KTM. Marquez is gearing up to make his comeback in the MotoGP circuit after undergoing shoulder surgery in the upcoming Sepang test from February 3-5.
