Marc Marquez has dismissed suggestions that he is the favourite for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, insisting that both his physical condition and Aprilia's current form make a return to the podium far from certain.
The Ducati rider arrives at Balaton Park with fond memories after dominating MotoGP's first visit to the circuit last season, taking pole position and winning both the sprint and main race. However, Marquez believes circumstances have changed significantly since then.
The nine-time world champion is still recovering from surgery last month to remove a screw that had been affecting a nerve in his right shoulder. The procedure was brought forward following a crash at Le Mans and was aimed at resolving nerve-related issues that had impacted muscle function.
Marquez said the priority remains restoring full strength and mobility rather than focusing on race results.
"The first problem is to fix the nerve because nerves are connected with the muscles," he explained.
Source: MotoGP
While he has noticed some improvement since the operation, Marquez admitted recovery is still ongoing. He revealed that certain muscle groups around his collarbone and biceps have yet to regain their strength and will require continued rehabilitation both on and off the bike.
His fitness concerns come at a time when MotoGP's competitive order has also shifted.
Aprilia has emerged as the benchmark manufacturer in recent races, with Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi consistently setting the pace. Marquez believes both riders currently have an advantage over the rest of the field and rejected attempts to label him as the rider to beat this weekend.
Martin had suggested Marquez could be the favourite at Balaton Park due to his strong record on anti-clockwise circuits, but the Spaniard quickly downplayed those expectations.
"I know nobody likes the pressure, but the guys to beat are both Aprilias," said Marquez.
He added that Martin and Bezzecchi are currently operating on "another level", highlighting the challenge facing Ducati and the rest of the grid.
Rather than targeting victory, Marquez said his attention remains focused on rebuilding his physical condition and extracting the maximum from his current package.
Despite his dominant display at Balaton Park last year, the Spaniard enters this weekend with a far more cautious outlook, acknowledging that both his recovery and Aprilia's recent rise have changed the competitive picture considerably.
