The Unfortunate Turn of Events for Marc Marquez's MotoGP Journey
In a recent revelation, Ducati's MotoGP boss, Gigi Dall'Igna, has shed light on the 'main problem' stemming from Marc Marquez's latest injury. This issue, it turns out, is deeply intertwined with the brand's testing plans for the upcoming 2026 season.
Marquez, at 32, had just secured his seventh premier class title at the Japanese Grand Prix, a remarkable achievement as a factory Ducati rider. With five rounds still to go, Marquez and Ducati were strategically looking ahead to 2026, utilizing the remaining races for testing purposes.
But fate had other plans. Marquez suffered a severe right shoulder injury in a collision with Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia during the opening lap of the Indonesian Grand Prix. This incident led to subsequent surgery, sidelining Marquez for the remainder of the season.
"He was incredibly unlucky, and it wasn't his fault," Dall'Igna shared with the official MotoGP website. "These things can happen, and he understands that he must accept it and follow the necessary path to recovery."
Before the crash, Ducati had planned to use the final races of 2025 to develop and test new strategies. However, Marquez's injury has put a halt to these plans, creating a significant setback for the team.
"This accident has presented the main challenge we now face," Dall'Igna explained. "We were counting on Marquez to lead our testing efforts, but his injury has left us with a gap to fill."
Ducati has faced challenges in relying on Pecco Bagnaia, the double world champion, whose performance has been inconsistent since the summer break. For the final two rounds of the season, starting this weekend in Portugal, Ducati will bring in World Superbike star Nicolo Bulega to replace Marquez.
Marquez's absence will also be felt during the post-race test in Valencia, following the season finale. While no timeline has been given for his recovery, MotoGP medical director Dr. Angel Charte has emphasized that Marquez must be 100% fit before returning to the track.
And this is where it gets controversial... With Marquez's injury, the question arises: How will Ducati navigate their testing plans for 2026? Will they be able to find a suitable replacement for Marquez in the meantime? These are the challenges the team now faces, and it will be interesting to see how they adapt and overcome these obstacles.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think Ducati can find a successful solution? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
