After a disastrous weekend at Le Mans, Alex Marquez is hoping to find his smile and momentum back on home turf in Barcelona. The Gresini rider, despite a mixed season so far, is banking on the specific characteristics of the Catalan circuit to turn his fortunes around and rejoin the leading pack.
Le Mans: A weekend to forget
Currently eighth in the championship standings with 55 points, Alex Marquez isn’t hiding his frustration. While his 2026-spec Ducati isn’t yet delivering the expected sensations, the reigning world vice-champion also acknowledges his own part in his recent lack of results. The contrast between his victory at Jerez, a track he clearly favours, and his catastrophic performance at Le Mans is stark. “Le Mans was definitely a disaster for us,” he admits frankly. “I made too many mistakes at key moments, particularly in qualifying where I just couldn’t put together a good lap.” Starting tenth, he could only muster a meagre two points, a poor haul that contrasts sharply with the expectations placed upon him.
Barcelona: An ideal playground?
The return to Barcelona offers a breath of fresh air for the Spaniard. A circuit where he secured pole position and victory last year, and where he also boasts two Moto2 wins, the Catalan track seems tailor-made for his riding style. “I always manage to be really fluid here,” he explains. “It brings me a sense of calm. There aren’t many heavy braking points; the riding is more about fluidity and traction, areas where I’m currently quite strong.” This natural ease on the circuit allows him to make the difference where others struggle.
The secrets of the Catalan track
Beyond his intrinsic qualities, Marquez benefits from an intimate knowledge of the Barcelona circuit. “We’ve completed an enormous number of laps here in the junior categories,” he recalls. “That allows you to learn its secrets.” This familiarity, combined with the often lower grip levels on the track, helps him to build a gap. “I think the low grip here really helps me to make the difference and create that gap over others, whereas I struggle a bit more with braking and corner entry. That’s why I’m very fast here.”
Podium objective to relaunch the season
Despite the difficulties, Alex Marquez isn’t giving up. He’s aiming for a solid weekend, which means points and, crucially, a return to championship contention. “I’m going to try and have a solid weekend, score points, and get back into the title fight,” he promises. Sitting 29 points behind third-placed Fabio Di Giannantonio in the standings, the objective is clear: the podium. “I know that if I do my job well, I can be fast and fight for the podium at least.”
Uncertain weather to spice up the weekend
The Spaniard anticipates a weekend that could potentially be disrupted by the weather. “It’s going to be cold tomorrow and we might have some rain,” he indicates, highlighting the importance of being prepared for all eventualities. Unpredictable weather could reshuffle the pack and offer unexpected opportunities, provided riders are ready to adapt quickly.
Key takeaways on Alex Marquez’s situation
- Riding style suited to Barcelona: Fluidity and traction are key on the Catalan circuit, major assets for the Gresini rider.
- Experience is a key advantage: Years of riding on this track in lower categories give him valuable knowledge of its subtleties.
- Need to confirm after Jerez: Following a promising victory and a disappointing weekend, Barcelona is the chance to prove his consistency.
- Podium objective: Marquez is aiming for nothing less than a top-three finish to truly reignite his season.
- Potentially decisive weather: Uncertain climatic conditions could play a significant role in the weekend’s outcome.
[Bezzecchi et Martín]
[le circuit]
