Neil Hodgson believes Alex Marquez is “hard to look past” as his main rival for the 2026 MotoGP title after watching the Gresini ace during testing.
The Marquez brothers made history last year, as they became the first brothers to finish first and second in a premier class championship season. Marc Marquez won the 2025 MotoGP title Five rounds shy of the record, Alex finished with 78 points.
Mark Marquez The last four rounds of 2025 are gone. MotoGP season Due to injuries, his younger brother and sister gave him the opportunity to reduce the deficit to 78 points. Alex Marquez Mark trailed with 201 points when he won in Japan, but scored more points in the final five rounds.
right now, Hodgson Alex Marquez is confident he can build on his form from last year to emerge as Marquez’s main rival after impressing in pre-season tests at Sepang and Buriram. Alex Marquez had the best race sim speed in Sepang. And the third-best in Thailand.
Alex Marquez’s pace in pre-season has confirmed that he will be Marquez’s main rival in 2026.
Hodgson believes it too. Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati He could return to form to challenge Marc Marquez for the MotoGP title in 2026. Aprilia Pilot Marco Bezecchi He confirmed his testimony last year. But Alex Marquez’s pace at the test shows he is a top contender for the marque’s crown.
Read more: Marc Marquez’s first MotoGP title with Ducati was defined in five moments
“I think everyone would agree that Marc Marquez has started the season as (favourite) after his victory last campaign,” said Hodgson. TNT Sports.
“There are two challengers for the crown. After two test weekends this season, Gresini’s brother Alex Marquez is the main threat, but not the only one.”
“Peko Bagnaia, who had a terrible time of things last year, has certainly improved. Then Epria has made some big jumps, so I think Marco Bezeci has thrown his hat into the ring as a real contender.”
But before the season, it’s hard to see Alex as a major competitor to his older brother and sister. The answers are somewhat obvious.
“Bezechi has shown flashes of his ability throughout the season. Alex was second overall, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s strong again this season. As for Bagnaia, he’s a two-time MotoGP World Champion, so we can never rule him out.”
Francesco Bagnaia must prove himself in pre-season with rival Marc Marquez
Alex Marquez admits he was “not ready” to fight for the 2025 MotoGP title.the 29-year-old fought his way to the top of the podium and shot, steadily setting his sights on the race and beating Marc, Bagnaia and Bezecic in races.
Read more: Every MotoGP record Marc Marquez can break in the 2026 season.
The younger Marquez brother had taken just five podiums in his previous 89 starts, but in 2025 he scored 12 podiums in 22 races. Alex Marquez had his first season in Spain at Jerez last season before winning at Barcelona and later in Malaysia.
Bagnaia scored his first race win of 2025 after Marc Marquez was forced out of the lead. It took the two-time champion until the Japanese Grand Prix last year to claim his first win, but it turned out to be his only runner-up finish in the final seven rounds.
right now, Bagnaya is more comfortable on Ducati 2026 bike. And his pace in testing has put Bologna’s rivals on red alert. Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola suggested that Ducati’s rivals might “go home” after seeing Bagania’s pace. In Sepang, where his consistency is amazing.
But Bagnaia is now back and has to prove that he can give Marc Marquez a run for his money in the same garage in real race conditions. The Turin native trailed Mark on 267-points and cut that deficit to 257 when his teammate won the 2025 title in Japan.
