Marc Marquez tipped to contest MotoGP world title after Grand Prix Hungary double - 'We've got a championship on our hands'

The 33-year-old Spaniard led from the front at Grand Prix Hungary on Sunday, before losing his position to KTM rider Pedro Acosta.

Despite the setback, Marquez fought back to take the lead once more and then pulled away from his compatriot.

After a couple of weeks out with yet more surgery, Marquez ruled himself out of the 2026 title race, but he took 30 points out of Marco Bezzecchi’s lead at the top of the standings as he completed a double victory at Balaton Park.

The gap is now 72 points, with 15 rounds remaining in the current campaign, and as he builds back his fitness, Hodgson tipped Marquez to make a fight of the title race.

Hodgson said: ”[Marquez finished with] absolutely nothing left. Look at that. That’s a man he always leaves it out there, but that's his lot.

”That's an emotional victory. I genuinely think he was questioning, 'Will I get this feeling? Is it going to come? Will I be able to do what I can do best?' It's good news - he can. 

”I can tell you what, we've got a championship on our hands.

He continued: "He's got a weekend off to rest, to work, to come back stronger. He's taken 13 points out of Bezz this weekend.”

Hodgson believes that Ducati was the better bike over the course of the weekend, and the factory’s other rider, Francesco Bagnaia, took third spot as his race form improved compared to some of his worst moments over the last two seasons.

He also cautioned that Aprilia could come back in Brno in the next round, shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max in two weeks, with the first action on Friday, June 19, before the weekend’s two races.

He said: ”Ducati looked like it did everything a little better, but we're going to Brno next, and it's back to Aprilia. Advantage Aprilia.”

Hodgson, nevertheless, believes that an in-form Marquez remains the man to beat, regardless of which bike is best suited to a particular track.

He concluded: ”What we've learned with Marc is that he makes the difference. His bike may not be the best bike to be on, but he will make the difference.”

Bezzecchi finished the weekend on 180 points, still top of the standings. He and team-mate Jorge Martin - on 160 points - crashed out on the opening lap.

Third-placed Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati) also suffered in the accident. He was able to rejoin the action, but could not score a point. He has 138 points, with Marquez now fifth in the overall standings on 108.

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