Marc Marquez has poured cold water on claims that this weekend’s MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez will see Aprilia’s current dominance reined in by Ducati.

The Italian brand has dominated so far in 2026, winning all three grands prix with Marco Bezzecchi, as well as claiming a sprint win at COTA with Jorge Martin.

Bezzecchi leads Martin by four points, while the nearest Ducati is Fabio Di Giannantonio in fourth and 31 points from the top of the standings.

Ducati has just one grand prix podium to its credit, while reigning world champion Marc Marquez is yet to get a Sunday rostrum, though does have a sprint win and a second-place finish on his record.

With this weekend’s round at Jerez representing what many believe to be the first normal venue of the season, it’s expected that Ducati will make a step.

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However, Marquez doubts this, stating: “I mean, for me, the people that are saying ‘no, we need to wait to Jerez’… I mean, we’ve gone to three different tracks, with three different layouts, three different rear tyres, and the winner was the same one.

“At the end, the fact is the fact: Aprilia, especially with Marco, are the clear favourites and what we need to do is try to work step by step and try to be closer to them.

“Because, even with a disastrous first three races, we are not very far in the championship. So, let’s see if step by step we can increase our level.”

Marquez assesses his physical condition after extended break

The month break since the US Grand Prix due to Qatar being postponed because of the war in Iran has given Marquez time to improve the fitness in his injured shoulder.

Marquez believes he is in better shape to perform, though suggests Ducati is still working on the flaws of its GP26.

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“I mean, of course, these three weeks at home were important, because I was trying to work on my weak points,” he added.

“The first three races were not easy, especially to survive the whole weekend in a good way.

“But, let’s see if now what we did at home is working on the MotoGP bike, which is the most important thing.

“But, yeah, I would say I’m in a good level, on the physical side, to perform in the best way possible.

“First three races were difficult inside and outside of the track.

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“Inside, especially, because I was suffering to find the way to ride in a good way.

“I was fast in some areas of the race, in some laps. But not in a constant way. We know the reason.

“We are trying to work on it. And outside of the track, it was difficult, because surviving with pain, it’s not easy to arrive here and just try to fake it on your face; it’s impossible.

“I feel, right now… always I try to find my numbers in the gym, and I can say that now I’m in a good level to perform in a good way on the race track.

“It’s true that I’m not performing in a good way in these first three races, but I didn’t put this extra that a good rider needs to put on a manufacturer.

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“When a manufacturer takes you, they are waiting for that extra from you.

“It is what we will try to do in the next races, try to be better and better and try to improve, because especially Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia are riding in a very good way.”

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