Alex Marquez analyzes title fight: "More mistakes make everything more open"

– The fight for the World Championship is as close at the halfway point of the 2026 season as it has been since the beginning of the modern MotoGP era. For Alex Marquez, the reason for this is not only the increased competition from Aprilia, but above all the lack of consistency among the top riders.

Titel-Bild zur News: Marc Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Jorge Martin, Ai Ogura

Many favorites have made more mistakes this season than in previous years. Exactly this keeps the fight for the title open, says the Gresini rider.

“I think no one was really consistent. No one was able to be there throughout the whole weekend,” explains Marquez. According to the Spaniard, this situation makes the championship particularly exciting and more attractive for the fans.

“It looks like this year it is a bit more open because people are making more mistakes than last year, compared to a few years ago, but also compared to 2024 and 2023. That’s why everything is pretty open,” Marquez continues.

Only 24 points separate the top 5 in the World Championship

Before the start of the second half of the season, the top five riders in the overall standings are separated by just 24 points. After eleven race weekends, there has never been a smaller gap between the top 5 in the MotoGP championship since 2002.

Additional excitement is brought especially by Aprilia into the title race. After the past three MotoGP seasons were clearly dominated by Ducati, the balance of power has expanded in 2026. Jorge Martin currently leads the overall standings, followed by Ai Ogura. Both ride the current Aprilia RS-GP.

Ducati remains represented in the title fight with Marc Marquez in third place, while Marco Bezzecchi is fourth. Fabio Di Giannantonio completes the tight leading group in fifth.

Marquez attributes the current closeness mainly to the lack of consistency among almost all title contenders. “It’s quite interesting and better for the fans. But no one is riding at a consistent level,” analyzes the Gresini rider.

“I think the only one who managed that at the start of the season was Marco [Bezzecchi]. Unfortunately, he got injured and hasn’t had much luck in the last races.”

Photo gallery: All winners of the MotoGP season 2026

Several title contenders have had setbacks during the season. Bezzecchi showed impressive form at the start of the season but lost important points in June due to several mistakes. Martin experienced a difficult phase in Barcelona with five crashes and also missed another big chance in Hungary.

The reigning world champion Marc Marquez dropped out of the lead at the Spanish Grand Prix after starting from pole. In Le Mans, he was injured in a crash and missed several races.

No clear favorite for the MotoGP title 2026

For the second half of the season, his younger brother Alex brings a decisive factor into play: Which rider can remain consistently without major mistakes?

“It will be interesting to see which rider is able to show this consistency after the summer break. That will pay off. Ogura would have many opportunities to show this consistency, and also Marc,” the Spaniard names two.

Martin also remains an important part of the title fight for Marquez. Although the championship leader has attracted less attention so far, his position remains strong. “Martin is still leading. He hasn’t made much noise, but he is there. That’s why it will be pretty interesting until the end.”

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