Marc Marquez shrugs off controversy over pitlane entry in Spanish MotoGP sprint

Yahoo Sports2h ago13 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Marc Marquez defends his pitlane entry during the Spanish MotoGP sprint, stating he did not create a dangerous situation. He secured his second sprint win of the 2026 MotoGP season at Jerez after a strategic bike switch.

Key points

Marc Marquez defends his pitlane entry
He did not create a dangerous situation
Marquez won the Spanish MotoGP sprint
This is his second sprint win of the 2026 season
Strategic bike switch was key to his victory

Marc MarquezSpanish Grand PrixMotoGPDucati

Motorsport photo

Marc Marquez has responded to suggestions he should have been penalised for his pitlane entry in the Spanish Grand Prix sprint, insisting he did not create a dangerous situation.

The factory Ducati claimed his second sprint win of the 2026 MotoGP season at Jerez on Saturday, with the timing of his switch to the wet-weather bike proving key to his triumph.

Running in second place with five laps remaining, the Spaniard had initially opted to stay out for another tour, but a crash in damp conditions at the final corner prompted him to change his plans.

While the seven-time MotoGP champion ensured all riders had passed him before he rejoined the track, he then took an unusual route over the grass to enter the pitlane, having already missed the standard entry point located before the final corner.

No investigation was launched into the incident, with Marquez going on to pass Fermin Aldeguer and his factory Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia to secure an unlikely victory.

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However, his unconventional pit entry led to heated debate over its legality, with LCR’s Johann Zarco among those questioning whether he should have been penalised.

Asked about the criticism, Marquez said: “I don't know, read the rules!

“They [stewards] say that if you don't gain time, you don't create any dangerous situation and you don't cut any corner from the service road, [you are within the rules]. [I have] nothing to say.”