Márquez pursues record-tying Sachsenring win as MotoGP championship fight tightens before summer break

Championship landscape

The 2026 MotoGP season reaches its halfway point with Jorge Martín leading the standings on 193 points. His Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi trails by 7 points, while Fabio Di Giannantonio sits third, 16 points off the lead. Ai Ogura, victorious for the first time in the premier class at Assen, has vaulted into fourth. Marc Márquez lies fifth, 40 points from the top, after back-to-back wins in Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Márquez's Sachsenring fortress

Sachsenring's left-hand-dominated layout has been a personal garden for Marc Márquez, who has won 12 times here, nine in the premier class. Another victory on Sunday would equal Giacomo Agostini's records of 13 wins at a single venue and 10 in the top class at one circuit. Coming off recent surgery, Márquez tempered expectations but sent a clear message.

We can be among the fastest from the start.

He added that his physical condition remains the main concern, saying, "My main rival, what worries me most, is my physical condition; I don't care about the others."

Rivals under physical strain

Several contenders arrive carrying pain. Marco Bezzecchi, who crashed heavily at Assen at over 200 km/h, admitted he is far from full fitness.

The Assen crash was violent. Physically I am far from 100%.

Álex Márquez, still recovering from a Barcelona injury that cost him three races, echoed the cautious tone after crashing in practice at Assen. He secured a commendable fifth place there but stressed patience.

I'll go to Germany without expectations. I don't expect a miracle.

Weekend schedule

Friday’s free practice sessions begin with Moto3 at 09:00 local time, followed by Moto2 at 09:50 and MotoGP at 10:45. The afternoon sessions, culminating in the hour-long MotoGP Practice 2 at 15:00, determine direct entry to Saturday’s Q2 qualifying. Saturday features qualifying and the sprint race, while Sunday hosts the main races across all three classes. Coverage is available on DAZN.