Crutchlow says Marquez 'never ceases to amaze' in title fight

Cal Crutchlow says it is hard to be surprised by Marc Marquez overcoming a record 102-point deficit to stand on the brink of a tenth world championship. Crutchlow raced Honda machinery alongside Marquez from 2015 to 2020, winning three races for LCR, before switching to a Yamaha test and wildcard role while Marquez battled several seasons of arm and shoulder injuries.

This season has been very different for Marquez. His Mandalika shoulder injury carried over into 2026, while Aprilia's RS-GP won five of the opening seven Grands Prix. Marquez returned from surgery to correct a nerve issue in his right arm at Mugello, where he left Italy 102 points behind then-leader Marco Bezzecchi. A double victory at Balaton Park began his relentless run to the top, helped by accidents and mistakes for the Aprilias.

"Marc Marquez never ceases to amaze, so it's difficult to say that he would not come back," Crutchlow told MotoGP.com during the Qatar weekend. Marquez missed his first title chance in Qatar, but a win in the Portimao Sprint would make him only the second eight-time premier-class champion, after Giacomo Agostini.