It’s the one MotoGP deal everyone has been expecting since last season, but so far hasn’t materialised.

While the likes of Pedro Acosta, Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo have set the rider market alight with team-change reports for 2027, reigning champion Marc Marquez is set to stay put for the first time since leaving Repsol Honda.

Following the spectacular success of his debut Ducati Lenovo season, where he romped to a long-awaited ninth world title, it would be a huge upset if Marquez didn’t renew with the Italian factory for the 850cc/Pirelli era.

But uncertainty over Marquez’s healing shoulder injury, which kept him off a MotoGP bike from October until February, prompted the Spaniard to ask for a pause in the discussions.

Nonetheless, “most points” are already agreed, although Marquez didn’t specify the remaining aspects to be ironed out.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

“About the contract, Ducati and I both agree on most of the points,” Marquez told MotoGP.com after returning to Europe from the Buriram season-opener.

“But just as I said in the [Thai GP] press conference, I asked Ducati to wait a bit, to have that moment

“Because I was injured when we started talking about the future. And first of all, I would like to feel well on the bike, and then of course, sign the contract.”

Although unable to repeat last year’s Buriram dominance, Marquez was again the top Ducati rider in Thailand – fighting for the Sprint victory, then on course for a grand prix podium until a wheel rim failure.

“I’m looking forward to the next races because in Thailand we suffered a bit, but we were there, fighting for the podium. So this is the good news,” Marquez said.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

“Now I have two weeks in front where I would like to do another step in my physical condition [with the shoulder], let’s see if I can. But yeah, I’m already starting to feel in a good way to fight [in the] races.”

Marquez will head to round two, the inaugural event at Goiania in Brazil, 23 points behind early title leader and rumoured 2027 team-mate Acosta.

Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter