Marc Marquez says losing the German MotoGP is no big deal - is he right?

Marc Marquez ended Friday at the German Grand Prix fastest, rejecting talk that he is an overwhelming favorite to win this weekend. However, he said he does not believe he has the full pace yet, and he does not view a potential loss at his stronghold as a major disaster. The Sachsenring has historically suited the Spanish rider: he has nine MotoGP German Grand Prix victories there and won almost every year he started a race at the venue. Marquez’s record includes a first real defeat in 2024, though he still finished second, and a 2021 win after a serious arm injury. In the 2026 title battle, he is 40 points from the championship lead after Assen and could be within three points heading to summer break. On Friday, he set a 1m19.394s in practice, 0.166s clear, despite a small FP1 crash.