MotoGP experts share whether Ducati can win without Marc Marquez, Catalan Grand Prix predictions

Ducati have confirmed they will not replace Marquez at the Catalan GP as he recovers from surgery on a broken toe and shoulder. Marquez underwent another surgery on his shoulderHe was affecting the spinal nerve from an old injury.

Who will win the Catalan Grand Prix?

Francesco Bagnaia now leads the factory Ducati team Alex Marquez of Gresin won the Catalan GP in 2025 To do the Spanish double after his first MotoGP win in Jerez. His younger brother Marquez repeated his 2025 Spanish Grand Prix victory in 2026.

Despite the momentum heading into Montmelo with Martin, as of 2015, Aprilia He even won racing at Le Mans and the French GP. Only Martin Rider has taken the win so far this season and now sits one point behind teammate Marco Bezecic in the standings.

With this in mind, MotoGP News professional team of writers They offer their predictions for the Catalan GP – including whether Ducati can win at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya without Marc Marquez and how many back-to-back wins Martin can take from French GP winner Martin.

Who has secured pole position for the 2026 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix?

Kyle Archer – Alex Marquez “Spanish soil is set to see home success in 2026 as Gresini’s star. Alex Marquez He favors the Cirque de Barcelona-Catalunya and could score his first pole position of the season on Saturday. Alex took the top spot in Montmelo last year when the race was held in September, and he will be looking for a chance to repeat it.

Ashley Hambly – George Martin; “Aprilia George Martin In 2026 he secured a Sprint Race win and a Grand Prix victory, the only thing missing now is a pole position. He hasn’t taken pole in Barcelona since his Moto3 days, but I think that will change this weekend.

Aditya Krishnamurthy – Marco Bezeci: “looking for. Marco Bezecchi To hit Barcelona with a level of motivation we haven’t seen in recent weeks after watching Jorge Martin close the gap on the Championship table. It’s going to be a toss-up between the two, and I expect it to start in qualifying despite Bezecchi’s woes on Saturday.

David Comerford – Alex Marquez He has been very inconsistent this year but I think he will come alive again in front of the fans. And without Marc Marquez at Barcelona, ​​Alex will carry their hopes.

MotoGP experts predict which rider will win the Sprint race at the 2026 Catalan GP.

Kyle Archer – George Martin: Aprilia Star George Martin won the sprint race at Le Mans After starting from P8 on the grid, he showed he could win a short race, moving up to fourth before the turn, gaining two more places to the chicane and exiting at Turn 4. Martin returns to take the lead from Turn 1 on the long main straight at Barcelona.

Ashley Hamby – George Martin “His form in the sprint was crucial to his championship run in 2024, and this looks like an emerging pattern for him in 2026. Martin is a tough contender to win the shortest format, so starting from pole position will be difficult to beat.”

Aditya Krishnamurthy – Alex Marquez “I know that Alex Marquez hasn’t done well in the sprints this year, but I think he’s motivated to take a big win in the Catalan GP after his strong run at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez – even if not in the main event.”

David Comerford – Alex Marquez “I think Alex Marquez will change the pole position in the short format, but Apria will be very strong in the long distance.”

Which rider will win the 2026 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix?

Kyle Archer – Alex Marquez ” Saying George Martin won the French Grand Prix with an unbeatable speed Around Le Mans, Alex Marquez’s name will be on the Catalan Grand Prix winners’ trophy on Sunday and he could be unbeatable with a fast start.

Ashley Hamby – Alex Marquez He also took the 2025 win at Jerez this year, so I’d be rooting for the Gresini rider to do it again this week in Barcelona. It was Alex Marquez’s first victory in a head-to-head battle with older brother Marc, who won last year’s Catalan Grand Prix.

Aditya Krishnamurthy – George Martin “I expect George Martin to win again, Marco Bezecchi even on the pole, he has a lot of motivation on his side and has shown that he can handle a difficult track like Le Mans, so I expect the same in Montmelo.”

David Comerford – George Martin “Now that Jorge Martin is comfortable on the Aprilia, I’m worried about Marco Bezecic, I see Martin creating some momentum in the coming races and dominating the title race.”

Who will be on the 2026 MotoGP Grand Prix podium?

Kyle Archer – Marquez, Martin, Bagnaia: “Alex Marquez could win the Catalan Grand Prix unchallenged from behind. But the fight for the final podium places will be fiercely contested, with Jorge Martin dropping out. Francesco Bagnaia For the Ducati rider in 2010 First race of 2026. Marco Bezecchi narrowly sees his seven-race podium run.

Ashley Hamby – Marquez, Bezecchi, Di Giantantonio: “Marco Bezzecchi is the most consistent rider on the grid to achieve maximum results in the Grand Prix format, and I think that will continue in Barcelona.

“A crash is predicted to derail Jorge Martin’s race at the Catalan Grand Prix. Fabio D’Giantantonio Reap the benefits to grab the last spot on the podium.

David Comerford – Martin, Bezcicci, Marquez “I can see another Aprilia one-two with Marco Bezzecchi in second, and Alex Marquez in third for some Ducati representation.”

Aditya Krishnamurti – Martin, D’Giantantonio, Bezeci: “Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezecic have been consistently strong this season and I will struggle to compete with them for success at Barcelona.”

How much will Marc Marquez’s injury hurt Ducati at the Catalan Grand Prix?

Kyle Archer: “The factory Ducati outfit’s quest for a Grand Prix victory in 2026 can continue without Marc Marquez in Catalonia, while the Spaniard is injured, and can still get a podium in the Catalan GP. Francesco Bagna has an improved feel for the GP26 front end, and he had the pace to win in France.

Ashley Hambly: “After Ducati confirmed that Marc Marquez will not be replaced at the Montmelo-based service this weekend, it will be up to Francesco Bagnaia to grab some points himself. Recent Grand Prix form is not in his favour.

Aditya Krishnamurthy: “Even if Marc Marquez is not on fire this year, his presence will always play a role in the race at the weekend. And by ensuring that Marquez will not be replaced at Montmelo, Ducati will have only one rider representing their factory team in Francesco Bagnaia.”

David Comerford: “Francesco Bagnaia seems to have a good time every weekend but he can’t put it all together from Friday to Sunday. Ducati hasn’t scored a podium in any case, but there’s a chance they’ll be unrecognizable without Marc Marquez.”