Marc Márquez Dominates US GP Practice: Pol Espargaró Analysis & Ducati's Rising Form

The opening day of the Grand Prix of the Americas highlighted Márquez's continued mastery of the COTA circuit, while Ducati showed signs of resurgence.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:48pm

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Despite a crash during the first practice session, Marc Márquez topped the timesheets at the Circuit of the Americas, showcasing his relentless spirit and dominance at the 'talisman' circuit. Meanwhile, Ducati riders made a strong showing, with four bikes qualifying directly for Q2, signaling the Italian manufacturer's progress. In contrast, KTM faced challenges with top speed, while Maverick Viñales' absence due to a shoulder injury was noted.

Why it matters

Márquez's performance at COTA, a circuit he has historically excelled at, is significant as he navigates a challenging period in his career. Ducati's resurgence is also noteworthy, as the Italian manufacturer looks to regain its competitive edge after recent struggles. The insights provided by Pol Espargaró offer valuable analysis of the current state of the MotoGP grid.

The details

Márquez's dominance at COTA was highlighted by his ability to overcome a crash during the first practice session, where he impacted the wall. Espargaró praised Márquez's 'implacable' spirit, noting that he leverages 'talisman' circuits like COTA to regain his previous form. Márquez focused on working with medium compound tires, anticipating higher temperatures on race day and the associated rear tire degradation. Ducati's performance, with four riders directly qualifying for Q2, was seen as a 'punch on the table' by Espargaró, signaling the Italian manufacturer's progress. In contrast, KTM faced issues with top speed, impacting their ability to overtake and be overtaken. The absence of Maverick Viñales, sidelined due to a shoulder injury, was also noted, with Espargaró describing him as a 'very tough and very tenacious' rider.

  • The opening day of the Grand Prix of the Americas took place on March 28, 2026.
  • Márquez topped the timesheets despite a crash during the first practice session.

The players

Marc Márquez

A Spanish professional motorcycle racer who competes in the MotoGP World Championship. He is considered one of the most successful riders in the sport's history, having won eight world championships.

Pol Espargaró

A Spanish professional motorcycle racer who competes in the MotoGP World Championship. He currently provides analysis for the DAZN broadcasting network.

Ducati

An Italian motorcycle manufacturer that competes in the MotoGP World Championship. They have a long history of success in the sport and are currently making progress in regaining their competitive edge.

KTM

An Austrian motorcycle manufacturer that competes in the MotoGP World Championship. They have faced some challenges, particularly with top speed, in recent races.

Maverick Viñales

A Spanish professional motorcycle racer who competes in the MotoGP World Championship. He is currently sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

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What they’re saying

“Marc is implacable”

— Pol Espargaró, MotoGP Analyst

“Ducati is starting to deliver a punch on the table”

— Pol Espargaró, MotoGP Analyst

“Maverick is a very tough and very tenacious rider”

— Pol Espargaró, MotoGP Analyst

What’s next

Márquez will look to continue his dominance at COTA in the upcoming race, while Ducati will aim to build on their recent progress. Viñales is expected to undergo a minor shoulder operation and return for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

The takeaway

This opening day of the Grand Prix of the Americas has once again highlighted Marc Márquez's exceptional skill and ability to excel at 'talisman' circuits like COTA, even in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, Ducati's resurgence and KTM's ongoing challenges provide an intriguing backdrop to the evolving competitive landscape in MotoGP.