Neil Hodgson Column: Marc Marquez is the favourite at Grand Prix United States - but how much more pain can he take?

React to this story

TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson still has Marc Marquez pegged as his favourite not just at Grand Prix United States, but for the 2026 MotoGP world championship. However, after yet another crash for the Spaniard, Hodgson believes that Marquez is now approaching the final stages of his career as injuries inevitably take their toll and cause him to one day step away.

'That is ridiculously fast' - Marquez crashes in Free Practice at Grand Prix United States

Video credit: TNT Sports

Neil Hodgson is providing expert insight to TNT Sports throughout the MotoGP season.

In his latest column, he shares his thoughts about Marc Marquez's prospects this season - and beyond.

**************

Grand Prix Great Britain

MotoGP Grand Prix Great Britain: Start times, schedule, how to watch and live stream

Yesterday at 12:50

I don’t think that Marc Marquez’s crash in Free Practice is a cause for too much concern - I certainly don’t think that it means he’s feeling the pressure after a relatively slow start this season.

If anything, it seems to me that it’s business as usual for the world champion. He’s always pushing hard early in the weekend, looking for the edge. So, inevitably, he’ll tip over it when he has not quite got to grips with a circuit, and that’s what happened in the United States.

The question is though, given this is almost his 300th crash in MotoGP, just how much more can his body take? This was a huge crash, over 100 miles an hour. You get beaten up in the gravel.

It doesn’t matter how good you are technically - all those crashes, all the operations, all the sleepless nights, everything that comes with a big crash - eventually it will take its toll. At some point, he’s going to think, ‘I’ve had enough’, and he’ll walk away.

'This is such an important weekend' - Martin down in Practice at Grand Prix United States

Video credit: TNT Sports

Now, I’m not saying that’s imminent, but it’s clear now that we’re closer to the end of Marquez’s career than the start of it. I know that’s obvious, but that is what we’re witnessing - the latter races of a legend’s career.

Despite Marquez’s struggles in 2026, and despite Marco Bezzecchi’s strong start, I still don’t consider the Italian the favourite for the title. We’re not there yet.

It’s crazy to think to some extent, but Marc is still the favourite to retain the title. I think if he struggles again this weekend, then maybe it’ll be time for some to reassess. Before the season, every pundit had marked him as the favourite to win, but I still think that injury is the only thing that can derail him this year.

Ducati won't be panicking yet - but Aprilia have closed the gap

I also think that for Ducati, they will not be too worried yet. In recent sessions, they’ve been right up there again. Marc would probably have gone faster had he not crashed. It’s not as simple as Aprilia dominating and Ducati floundering. Now we’re back to normal tyres, it seems like everything has levelled out again.

There has been talk of a changing of the guard between the manufacturers, but it’s too early to say. The gap has been closed, but that’s what we should expect to see with the concessions they've got.

'I have no power left' - Vinales withdraws from Grand Prix United States ahead of surgery

Video credit: TNT Sports

Without them, Aprilia might have taken a few more years to get closer, but this is what we want to see; the system has worked to improve competition.

However, one Ducati rider who’s having a little bit of a tough time is Alex Marquez at BK Gresini. I had thought that he was going to battle at the front again. Last year he had a year-old bike. This year it’s the current set-up. That should have had him in a strong position, but I’m surprised to see he’s nowhere near right now.

It’s also not great for Pecco Bagnaia. I can’t write him off yet - he’s earned too much credit over the years - but I’m at the limit. I’ve not lost all hope, but it’s undeniably disappointing for the Italian. It’s very confusing.

It's Marquez or Bezzecchi this weekend

Looking ahead to this weekend, I’m tempted to back Bezzecchi for the win, but I still see Marc Marquez as the favourite. It’s his playground. He knows the circuit, he performs well here. I think even an injured Marquez is going to take some beating here this weekend.

If he disappoints again, though, then that might cause a few of us to take a pause, not least the champion himself.

That would see him probably glad that the Qatar Grand Prix got postponed until later in the year, because it gives him three weeks to recover and reassess, to sharpen up once more before the return to Europe in Jerez at the end of April. We always seem to find ourselves here, just waiting for Marc to get back to full fitness and then leave everyone in his wake.

For now - for both this race and the season - we are all still looking at Marc Marquez.

Stream every race of the 2026 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Grand Prix Great Britain

Marquez complains 'you are even slower' unless you ride 'robot style'

27/07/2026 at 11:06

Motorcycling

Friday is the day for my mistakes now, says title-chasing superstar Marquez

16/07/2026 at 19:07