Marc Marquez can only "survive" in Spanish GP despite return to full fitness

Marc Marquez was realistic about his prospects after a tough start to the Jerez weekend, even as Ducati appeared stronger than Aprilia

Marc Marquez confirmed he is fully fit after nearly a month away from racing in MotoGP, but admitted he currently lacks the pace to mount an “attack” at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The factory Ducati rider took advantage of an extended break in the calendar to recover from his Indonesia 2025 injuries, as well as a crash in Austin that left him in pain.

While his improved physical condition was expected to help him return to the front at this weekend’s Spanish GP, he struggled to match his Ducati compatriots Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio in Friday practice.

The reigning world champion was even at the risk of a Q1 relegation as he approached the end of a session, with only a late improvement on the soft rear tyre catapulting him to fourth place.

Speaking with the media, Marquez said he is pinning his hopes on overnight improvements, with even a podium appearing out of reach of him after Friday.

“Not a good day, not a bad day. It was a standard day where we work,” he summed up. “At the moment, we are there around 4-5-6 on the rhythm and on the fast lap.

“Let's see tomorrow how we will be in qualifying practice, and from that point, we will understand what we can do in the race.

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

“I don't have the potential to attack. At the moment, I have the potential to survive. It's true that let's see if tomorrow we can improve.

“Obviously, we need to keep working over the weekend if we want to improve, or stand any chance of fighting for the podium. At the moment, we’re nowhere near that.”

While Aprilia doesn’t usually start a race weekend strongly, Friday practice suggested that Ducati had a decisive edge over its rival at Jerez.

Last year’s Spanish GP winner Alex Marquez was three tenths quicker than the rest of the field in the afternoon, while VR46 di Giannantonio was also rapid throughout the day on the factory-spec bike.

But Marc Marquez finished Friday half a second down on his brother, with di Giannantonio and Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi also outpacing him over a single lap.

Marc Marquez conceded his lack of speed was down to his own struggles rather than any issues with the bike, saying: “I'm a bit slower than the others.

“We are working inside our garage to improve the weak points where I'm struggling more. It looks like now where I'm losing more was sector 4, the last two corners, fast corners. But also the left corners, the feeling today was not good.

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

“Physically, I'm OK. We just need to work in the garage to keep improving the feeling.”

Marc Marquez felt his struggles were exacerbated on fresh tyres - a major disadvantage at a track where qualifying position is crucial.

“Little by little we’re getting closer, but it’s true that it’s on a single lap where I’m struggling the most,” he said. “With used tyres, everything evens out a bit, but you don’t make up for what you’ve already lost with new rubber.”