MotoGP race winner Marco Melandri says he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Marc Marquez won the 2026 title and retired, after the 2025 championship “took its toll”.
Marc Marquez won a seventh MotoGP world title last year five years on from the serious arm injury that threatened his career.
It drew him level with Valentino Rossi’s tally and one away from Giacomo Agostini’s all-time record of eight.
Marquez started the 2026 season as title favourite, but hasn’t enjoyed an easy opening three rounds, with the Ducati rider yet to finish on the podium in a grand prix.
He does have a sprint win and podium to his credit, but Ducati has been a step behind Aprilia in the main races, while Marquez continues to suffer from the shoulder injury he sustained in Indonesia last season.
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In a recent interview, Andrea Dovizioso said Marquez’s physical situation is “more serious than it seems”, while the Ducati rider labelled it “critical” himself at the US Grand Prix.
Speaking with GPOne, Marco Melandri, who won five races in MotoGP, said he believes the effort required for Marquez to win the 2025 title “has taken its toll” and considers retirement if he is victorious again this season as a possibility.
“He remains the most well-rounded rider overall, even if he’s perhaps less explosive than last year,” he said during the Brazilian Grand Prix.
“More than the injury, I think the mental effort required to win the title back has taken its toll, because in my opinion, he gave more than 110% in 2025.
“He remains the favourite, but if [Marco] Bezzecchi manages himself well, he could seriously join the fight.”
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He added: “If Marquez were to win the title, he might even decide to retire at the end of the season.
“That’s how I see it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to stop after his 10th [grand prix] title.”
Marquez’s current deal with Ducati expires at the end of this season, though he is set to remain with the Italian marque into 2027.
He admitted earlier this year that his physical situation had delayed the signing of a new deal.
However, announcements for all riders have largely been put on hold while the manufacturers discuss a new commercial deal with the championship.
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