12 times a winner at Sachsenring, Marc Marquez is on paper the clear favourite to win this weekend’s German MotoGP (10–12 July), but he expects to “struggle” physically.

Marquez’s physical condition has been a concern all season, the Spaniard having spent the winter recovering from the shoulder injury he suffered in Indonesia last October, and undergoing surgery after the French Grand Prix to address a loose screw in that shoulder as well as the foot injury he picked up at Le Mans.

The most recent round at Assen saw Marquez riding conservatively and avoiding risk in the hopes of avoiding an injury, and the reigning MotoGP champion thinks he will struggle physically in Germany, too, albeit to a lesser extent.

“At Assen we knew from the start that we would have to grit our teeth and suffer, but we still managed to handle the situation and bring home important points for the championship,” said Marc Marquez ahead of the German Grand Prix.

“Here at the Sachsenring the scenario is different: from a physical standpoint I will certainly struggle, but the layout of this track requires less energy. 

“We can be right in the slipstream of the fastest riders.”

Francesco Bagnaia also struggled at Assen, retiring in the grand prix due to a brake issue. The Italian also does not count Sachsenring among his favourite tracks, despite winning there in 2024, but he hopes to have a good result this weekend before the summer.

“The weekend at Assen was complicated, and finishing Sunday with a retirement really disappointed me, especially for the work done with the team,” said Bagnaia.

“The Sachsenring is historically not among my favorite tracks, but we are facing this weekend with the utmost determination. 

“It will be crucial to achieve a good result to close this first part of the season in the best possible way before the summer break.”