Marc Marquez rejects the notion of bad luck in the early 2026 MotoGP Season
Marc Marquez isn’t buying into the idea that he’s been unlucky early in the 2026 MotoGP season, even as he works to rediscover his top form with Ducati.
It’s been a rocky start for the six-time champion, who might have had reason to blame fortune for some of his results. A steward decision in Thailand handed a Sprint win to Pedro Acosta, while a damaged wheel rim during the Grand Prix cost him valuable points.
A penalty in Austin – this time fully on him after contact with Fabio Di Giannantonio – and a crash at Jerez that left him pointless added to an already difficult run.
Despite it all, Marquez insists luck has little to do with his form. Speaking ahead of the French GP at Le Mans, he admitted he simply isn’t quick enough right now to be challenging regularly at the front.
Marquez pushes back on claims that luck has played a role in his slow start to 2026
After Marquez’s fall at Jerez, Di Giannantonio gave his take on Ducati’s six riders and described Marquez as ‘unlucky’ in his early season assessment. The Italian, who currently leads Ducati’s efforts in the championship standings, still sees speed in the seven-time champion but suggested fortune simply hasn’t been on his side. But Marquez didn’t agree with that assessment.
Speaking to Fastlane TV, the factory Ducati rider put it plainly: “We can say unlucky, but I will say I’ve not had enough speed. I mean, if you are fast, then it looks like luck is always on your side.
“But it’s true that at the moment, I’m not riding in the way I like. I’m not riding in the perfect way, and step by step, I’m trying to analyse why. I’m trying to assist and work to be faster so I can reach the level of last year.
“In Jerez, we understood many, many things. On my personal side, I also understood many, many things. Let’s see, now in the next races, here in Le Mans, we will try to introduce some things and let’s see if we can have a small step here.”
Marc Marquez is focused on regaining form, not the MotoGP title
If Marc Marquez wants to defend his drivers’ world title this season, he’ll need to start by closing the 44-point gap that Marco Bezzecchi has built at the top of the MotoGP standings.
It won’t be easy. Marquez has never come back from a deficit larger than 37 points in the riders’ standings to win a world title.
But for now, Marquez says his focus isn’t on the championship chase. He’s more concerned with getting back to his best form on the bike before thinking about anything else.
The lingering effects of the broken collarbone that ended his 2025 season are still evident, making recovery his immediate priority.
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