Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna hailed Marc Marquez for delivering what he described as a near-perfect race after the reigning world champion secured an emotional victory at the Hungarian GP, marking both his first win of the 2026 season and a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career.
Marquez dominated the weekend at Balaton Park Circuit, winning Saturday’s Sprint before returning on Sunday to capture the Grand Prix with a measured and tactical performance that impressed both fans and the Ducati management.
The triumph carried added significance as it came only in Marquez’s second race since returning from shoulder surgery. It was also his first victory since last season’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, signaling that the Spaniard has fully re-established himself as a leading contender for the 2026 MotoGP title.
Before the weekend began, Marquez admitted he was still not physically ready to sustain maximum intensity throughout an entire Grand Prix distance. However, the eight-time world champion compensated with experience and race intelligence, carefully managing his pace instead of relying solely on outright speed.
Unlike the Sprint Race, where he led from the opening lap to the checkered flag, Marquez adopted a more patient strategy in Sunday’s main event. Starting with a medium rear tire, the Ducati Lenovo rider chose not to challenge early leader Pedro Acosta immediately, allowing the KTM rider to dictate the pace while preserving his own tires.
Marquez remained close behind Acosta throughout the opening half of the race, waiting for the medium rear tire to reach its optimal operating temperature. Once the grip improved, he launched a decisive attack.
Although Acosta briefly fought back, Marquez quickly established control and gradually pulled away, crossing the finish line approximately 1.5 seconds ahead of his fellow Spaniard.
Dall’Igna praised the race execution, saying Marquez demonstrated outstanding patience and flawless timing.
“In the main race, he managed everything almost perfectly. The timing and execution of his attack were exactly right,” Dall’Igna wrote in his post-race review on LinkedIn.
“He didn’t force the pace early in the race. He waited for the medium rear tire to reach its ideal temperature before making the difference during the second half.”
The victory also represented another historic milestone for Marquez. According to Dall’Igna, the Spaniard has now reached 100 premier-class victories, placing him behind only Giacomo Agostini and Valentino Rossi on the list of the sport’s most successful riders.
“Marc has reached 100. One hundred MotoGP victories. Only Agostini and Rossi remain ahead of him. Congratulations!” Dall’Igna wrote.
The Ducati executive said the achievement carried extra meaning because it confirmed Marquez’s successful return after several injury-plagued seasons that had cast doubt over whether he would ever regain his dominant form.
“This weekend marked the return of a champion who has never truly disappeared,” Dall’Igna said.
Marquez’s success also ended a lengthy victory drought for Ducati’s factory team. Dall’Igna noted that Ducati Lenovo’s previous Grand Prix victory had come with Francesco Bagnaia at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, making Sunday’s result a welcome return to the top step of the podium.
“Marc showed unmatched speed throughout the weekend. He converted pole position into victory in a way that only he can,” Dall’Igna said.
With momentum now firmly on his side, Marquez has re-emerged as one of the leading favorites in the MotoGP championship battle. His performance at Balaton Park demonstrated not only raw pace but also the racecraft, composure and strategic maturity that have defined his career, providing a timely reminder that the reigning champion remains the rider everyone else must beat in 2026. :::
