The MotoGP world champion The incident occurred on lap 21, when the driver was fighting for third position in Circuito Internacional from Chang, in Buriram. Ele controlled the motorcycle without falling and stopped in the escape area, ending his participation in the race.
The problem arose after Márquez ran wide in turn 4 while trying to keep up with Raúl Fernández. The Spanish driver touched the curb hard, damaging the rear wheel and causing an immediate loss of air in the tire. The Ducati team confirmed that the impact broke the edge of the wheel, leading to the puncture. Outros competitors also reported difficulties with tires in the high heat of the Thai track.
Details of the incident on the track
Márquez was recovering after a bad start that took him out of the top positions. Ele was pushing to reach the podium when the problem happened.
The pilot chose to leave the trajectory to avoid a greater fall, but contact with the curb worsened the situation. Ele felt the back slide more than normal before the impact.
Driver’s statement after the race
Marc Ele mentioned that he performed similar maneuvers in the tests without any problems, but this time the result was different.
The Spaniard highlighted that he prioritized safety when deciding to leave the track, although he admits that the decision did not prevent the damage. Ele expressed surprise at the intensity of the incident, describing the moment as if he had hit something big.
Technical explanations from the team and supplier
Ducati pointed to the impact on the curb as the main cause of the wheel breaking. The team boss explained that the kidney was damaged on contact, resulting in a loss of tire pressure.
Michelin, the tire supplier, attributed the problem to a combination of aggressive curbs and high track temperatures at Buriram. The company manager confirmed that Márquez admitted to going wide as the only mistake, leading to the wheel damage and puncture.
Race and season context
Marco Bezzecchi won the race with dominance from Aprilia, followed by Pedro Acosta and Raúl Fernández. The result marked the end of a streak of 88 consecutive podiums for Ducati in the main category.
Márquez started second on the grid and fought hard in the sprint, but suffered a penalty. The abandonment in the main race left the team with no points at the top, opening the championship lead to Acosta.
Immediate reactions and perspectives
The rider assessed that the bike has high technical potential, but questioned its current physical shape. Ele indicated that it will wait for the next stage in Jerez to confirm the real performance of Ducati.
Other drivers faced similar tire issues over the weekend, highlighting the extreme conditions at the Thai circuit. The Ducati team will analyze the data for future adjustments.
Incident marks difficult debut in title defense
Márquez, current champion, began his title defense with high expectations after surgery and recovery. The puncture prevented a podium result that looked accessible in the final laps.
The abandonment represented an initial setback in the 2026 season, but the driver remained focused on recovering points in the next races.
