Marc Marquez has been able to make his return to the race track for the first time since his crash in the Indonesian MotoGP race last year.
Marquez crashed out on the opening lap in Mandalika when Marco Bezzecchi made contact with the rear of his Ducati at the fast turn seven right-hander.
The Spaniard dislocated his right shoulder in the crash, only one week after clinching the 2025 title in Motegi. He was forced to miss the remainder of the MotoGP season and the post-season test in Valencia.
In December the Spaniard was able to get back on a bike, riding flat track at Alcarras. In January, he has been able to ride a motocross bike, namely Ducati’s Desmo450 MX, as well.
Now, Marquez has got back on a closed circuit for the first time since the Indonesia crash, with the now nine-time World Champion heading to the Aspar Circuit in Valencia for his first asphalt laps of 2026 aboard a Ducati Panigale V2. The time between the crash on 5 October and his first day back on-track on 8 January has been almost exactly three months, around a month less than initially anticipated following his surgery.
Marquez was on-track alongside his compatriot and protege Max Quiles, who will enter the 2026 season as one of the standout favourites for the Moto3 title after winning races in his rookie year.
Marquez’s 2026 MotoGP preparation will continue on the dirt and on production bikes until the beginning of next month when the preseason testing campaign begins at Sepang on 3–5 February. His title defence will begin around one month later when the Thai Grand Prix kicks off the season-proper on 27 February – 1 March.
