Marco Melandri says Marc Marquez is not the ‘fastest’ rider in MotoGP.

Marquez was a dominant force in MotoGP between 2013 and 2019 before suffering career-changing injuries at the opening round of the 2020 season in Jerez.

The Spaniard has signaled his return to racing in 2021, but has struggled with further injuries and Honda’s lackluster performance and has not hit the heights of his past.

For the 2024 season, Marquez made the shock decision to switch from Honda to Ducati, having signed for Gresini before securing a move to the factory team in 2025.

However, now entering his second season with the Italian factory in 2026, Marquez looks unlikely to be the fastest rider in MotoGP.

Marco Melandri believes that Marquez is no longer ‘the fastest’

In the past, when Marquez wasn’t on the best bike, the Spaniard could make the difference with his own riding, but that seems to be the case now, he said. Marco Melandri.

When discussing Marquez Box discussionMelandri says he doesn’t believe he will be the ‘fastest’ rider this year, but rather ‘the most complete’.

But the Italian said he believes Marquez’s experience will come in handy in a sharp finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix next season in 2026.

Melandri said: “In my opinion, Marquez is hardly the fastest this year, but he is the most complete rider.”

“He can always facilitate the performance and even though he’s not doing well here, he’s still able to go very fast.

“So his strength, in my opinion, is complete and always in the championship. Losing a tire and a rim here was really unlucky, but he was leading the championship or at least coming out on points. So I still say it is him.

“It’s a new track in Brazil, and in my opinion, it makes the difference, because when it comes to adapting to new conditions, it’s incredibly fast, but I don’t expect it to be as fast as the others last year. That’s for sure.”

Will Pedro Acosta reach the same heights as Marc Marquez in MotoGP?

Marc Marquez was penalized at the end of the Thailand sprint race.

At the Thai Grand Prix, Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta are locked in a duel in the 2026 season opener in the sprint race.

It was on the final lap of a sprint race when Marquez attacked Acosta and pushed the younger Spaniard off the track. Marquez receives a penalty on the last lap.

The penalty was a controversial topic with many in the opening Sprint of the year. Fans left in disbelief that Marquez was punished Because many believe it is a legal action.

However, fans were angered by the penalty, which many believed was a fair move. Neil Hodgson didn’t believe the pass was there. and upheld the sentence.