Neil Hodgson: Marco Bezzecchi 'definitely believes' he is title contender after Grand Prix United States victory
Published 29/03/2026 at 22:51 GMT+1
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TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson believes that Marco Bezzecchi's win at Grand Prix United States on Sunday - his fifth GP win in a row - will have the Italian believing that he is now a contender for the world championship this season. Hodgson also thinks that fifth-placed Marc Marquez will look to recover his physical strength ahead of a break in the race calendar.
Highlights: Bezzecchi triumphs at Grand Prix United States as Marquez struggles after penalty
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson said Marco Bezzecchi ”definitely believes” he is now a MotoGP title contender.
The Aprilia rider led almost from the first second at Grand Prix United States on Sunday, and once he had the No. 1 position on track he did not let it go.
Behind him, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Pedro Acosta, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez all tussled, but it was his team-mate Jorge Martin who managed the best as he secured second spot for an Aprilia one-two.
Martin was victorious in Saturday’s Sprint race, meaning the pair brought home a dominant weekend for the Italian manufacturer.
The win was enough to edge the Italian ahead of Martin in the title standings, with current champion Marquez down in fifth spot after the opening three rounds in the 2026 campaign.
After a chaotic Sprint race on Saturday, Bezzecchi’s win was a contrast, an assured and calm victory. Hodgson was impressed with his approach.
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'He did nothing wrong' - Hodgson analyses Martin's wheelie celebration wipeout
Video credit: TNT Sports
Speaking on TNT Sports after the race, he identified the key aspects of Bezzecchi’s five consecutive MotoGP wins, which stretched back to the previous season.
He said: ”You can't argue with that. Different conditions, completely different tracks. Think where those five victories have come from as well.
”Some hot tracks, some cool tracks - Valencia at the end of the year, Portimao. Greasy and hot Thailand, the bizarre track in Brazil, the quirky Austin.”
Hodgson then said that Bezzecchi will now consider himself in the race for the title, adding: ”He definitely believes. If you win five MotoGP races, guess what? Your shoulders are back, your chest is out.
”I bet when he gets back to Italy, he’ll have bruises on his back from all the pats.”
However, he struck a note of caution for the man on top of the standings, saying he would need to stop falling short in Sprint races.
- Marquez says Di Giannantonio is 'angry' after Sprint collision as champ hit with penalty
- ‘He just absolutely nailed it’ - Laverty hails ‘fantastic win’ for Martin
- Martin edges Bagnaia in GP United States Sprint thriller after Marquez and Bezzecchi crash
”But if he wants to win the world championship, he's going to have to stop crashing in Sprint races,” Hodgson noted.
”He crashed out in two of the three Sprint races. He should have a big lead in this championship, but he doesn't."
Turning to Marquez, who finished in fifth spot after a long-lap penalty after a collision with Di Giannantonio, Hodgson suggested that the 33-year-old Spaniard would take advantage of a surprise break in the calendar.
Due to the political situation in the Middle East, the Qatar Grand Prix has been postponed until November, meaning it will not be until late April that the championship resumes, in Jerez.
Hodgson said of Marquez: ”Get me home, that's what he's thinking. Literally, get me home, get some physio and have a rest. Jerez is one of his favourite tracks - Jerez is not a physical place.”
Stream every race of the 2026 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and HBO Max
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