Defending champion Marc Marquez begins his quest for a record-equalling eighth MotoGP title as the 2026 season kicks off in Thailand.

THE Spaniard completed a stunning injury comeback last year to win his first championship since 2019.

The 33-year-old Ducati rider dominated the season, securing the title with five races remaining.

He missed the final four rounds after a collarbone injury in Indonesia. Marquez now aims to match Italian legend Giacomo Agostini’s record of eight premier class world titles.

“We must fight for the title one more time,” Marquez told reporters during pre-season testing. “If you’re in the Ducati Lenovo team then you must fight for the championship, and that is what we will try to do.”

He spent the winter recovering and admitted he wasn’t at full fitness in Malaysia. His brother, Alex Marquez, set the fastest times in Sepang testing and is expected to be a title contender again.

The grid features five current or former world champions, including Jorge Martin, Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo and Joan Mir. Martin’s 2025 campaign was ruined by injuries that have persisted into the new year.

Bagnaia, Marquez’s Ducati teammate, is seeking a return to his 2022 and 2023 title-winning form. “Being able to ride in the way I want is much better,” Bagnaia said, highlighting improved communication with his technicians.

Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi won the final two races of 2025 and set a new lap record at the Buriram test last week. KTM’s Pedro Acosta will also be aiming for his first grand prix victory this season.

The grid welcomes Toprak Razgatlioglu, the first Turkish rider in MotoGP and a three-time Superbike world champion. He is famous for his spectacular “stoppie” wheelie celebrations.

Another newcomer is Brazil’s Diogo Moreira, the reigning Moto2 champion. His arrival coincides with MotoGP’s return to Brazil for the first time since 1992.

This season is the last before radical new bike regulations are introduced for 2027.

 The Sun Malaysia