Ducati rider Marc Marquez admitted after a difficult start to the Spanish Grand Prix weekend that he lost more than one lap on his new Michelin tires “I can’t make up for it”.
Marquez finished fourth fastest around Jerez on Friday, but his best lap time in practice was 0.523 seconds off the fastest time set by his younger brother. Gresini ace Alex Marquez made the first practice in the Spanish GP In his 1:35.704, compared to Mark’s 1:36.227.
Even now, Mark says Alex has a “better chance” of winning Sunday’s game. Spanish GP Instead of taking the stage in the main competition. The reigning champion is yet to win a Grand Prix in 2026, retiring in Thailand before taking P4 in Brazil and P5 in the USA.
VR46 racer Fabio D’Gianantonio aboard the Desmosedici GP26 was 0.190s quicker. Mark Marquez In practice, the Italian clocked 1:36.037 for P2. Only Ducati Teammate Francesco Bagnaia was slower than Marquez in P6 with a 1:36.265 lap in GP26.
Alex Marquez sets a high benchmark in Jerez practice! Which rider will join this lot in Q2 on Saturday?
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Marc Marquez admitted that ‘I am struggling’ To provide new tires at the Spanish Grand Prix
Márquez admits that his brother Alex and the VR46 d’Giantantonio were faster than him during the Spanish GP in qualifying. The 33-year-old said that the biggest problem was that he could not make up for the lost time by using a new one. Michelin Tires.
Read more: Every MotoGP record Marc Marquez can break in the 2026 season.
The single-lap pacer believes Marquez is “fighting hard” in the Spanish GP, confident he is fully fit for the first time this season when he arrives in Jerez at the weekend. The Spanish GP is therefore the first real test where Marquez is placed in the pecking order.
Marquez said, through Motorsport.com: “They’re quick: I’m working in the garage, trying to focus and make the most of what I feel at any given moment.
“We’re slowly getting closer, but it’s true that you struggle the most on one lap. With used tires, things get smaller. But you can’t make up for what you lose with new tires.”
Marquez is recovering from shoulder surgery after an injury he suffered in Indonesia last October has made his season difficult. He has a large gash on his right arm from the gravel ride he crashed during training in America.
But Marquez has used the four-week break since the United States Grand Prix to focus on his fitness for the Spanish GP in 2026. However, qualifying fully for the first time this year did not put Marquez at the top of the order in Jerez.
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