Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez admits his shoulder injury from last year has forced him to start the 2026 season on Ducati’s 2024 aero package.

The 33-year-old suffered a complicated shoulder injury last October in a collision with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi on the opening lap of the Indonesian Grand Prix.

Marc Marquez was able to take part in pre-season testing this year and still comes into the new campaign as the favourite to fight for the title.

However, the right shoulder injury has dictated the aero package he will use for the start of the year.

Having preferred the 2025-spec aero last year, Marquez has reverted to the 2024 version because it makes his Ducati less physically demanding to ride with his shoulder in the current condition it is in.

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“Basically, in the end, about aerodynamics, aero package, you need to find the best for your moment, for your riding style, and the one that performs better,” he said on Thursday ahead of the 2026 Thailand Grand Prix.

“The fact that I stepped back in the aerodynamics, one of the reasons is because I cannot ride the bike in the same way as last year at the moment.

“The 2025 aerodynamics were a little bit more heavy for the bike, more demanding for the physical condition.

“And then I’m just trying to adapt my riding style to what I have now in my physical condition.

“But this doesn’t matter that it’s not working well.

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“Both [packages] are working well, but in a different way.

“But one of my abilities is to adapt to what I have and what I need.

“So, I will try one more time in my career to adapt my riding style to this new situation until I feel more ready.”

Race weekend will be easier than testing on Marquez’s shoulder

Marquez had a solid pre-season despite still recovering from a shoulder injury and battling illness during the Buriram test.

Though his shoulder has influenced his aero package decision, Marquez expects the race weekend to be easier on his body than testing.

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“It’s true that I think the process of my recovery made this pre-season a bit more difficult to be precise in the comments and to be always riding in the same way,” he said.

“But, testing is always harder for physicla condition than race weekend.

“So, I expect to start here in a good way. This season is new for everybody, we will try to fight against them and to be ready from the beginning.”

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