09/11/2026
Nine-time champion Marc Márquez posted a shirtless photo captioned 'unposted,' putting the scars from seven operations on his right arm on public display.
"It's incredible what he's doing. With seven operations on one arm, it's normal to be limited. In that respect, it's admirable how he approaches the race weekends." - Pecco Bagnaia
Bagnaia made the comments at the press conference ahead of the Misano Grand Prix on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Ducati rider sits alongside Márquez, 33, as one of four riders campaigning the GP26 machine this season.
Bagnaia admitted he cannot gauge how much the injuries actually limit his team-mate.
"I don't know to what extent he's restricted, though. Sometimes he's very strong, sometimes he's just managing the damage. But he's doing fantastic things." - Pecco Bagnaia
He pointed to Márquez's guarded public image as part of the puzzle.
"It's hard to judge that from the outside. But it's also no secret that Marc has a very good poker face. Nobody knows the reality." - Pecco Bagnaia
Bagnaia contrasted that approach with his own relationship to social media.
"I have a different approach to social media – I'm completely different from many riders in that respect. I prefer to keep certain things private." - Pecco Bagnaia
The comments arrive after two difficult race weekends for Bagnaia at Silverstone and Aragon.
He also reflected on the team's broader form this season.
"The potential the Ducati had in 2024 was unbeatable. Today there are four of us riding a GP26, but if we had four GP24s now, we'd still be right up there." - Pecco Bagnaia
Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Márquez, both Ducati riders, are expected to perform well at Misano.
Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez will represent Aprilia in the same field.
Race weekend at Misano continues with Márquez's physical condition now a public talking point rather than a private guess.
