A favorable early calendar for Marc Marquez

Marc Marquez overcomes past struggles to emerge as a championship favorite in 2025.

Marc Marquez of Spain and Ducati Lenovo Team attends a press conference ahead of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at the Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on February 27, 2025. Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Marc Marquez has endured a long and difficult journey to return to the top of MotoGP. After six years without competing for a championship, the eight-time world champion now looks stronger than ever. His dominant performance at the season-opening Thai Grand Prix has all but confirmed that he is back to his best, making him the early favorite for the 2025 title.

Marquez showcased his brilliance throughout the Thai GP weekend, securing pole position before winning both the sprint race and the main Grand Prix. The Spaniard appeared far more comfortable on his Ducati than his new teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, despite this being his first season on the factory bike.

Bagnaia, now in his sixth season with Ducati, struggled to match Marquez’s pace. His inability to keep up left him perplexed, as Marquez executed his race strategy with ease, sitting behind his brother Alex before making a decisive overtake with four laps to go.

Marquez’s adaptation to Ducati

The transition to Ducati has revitalized Marquez’s career. After years of loyalty to Honda, a manufacturer that struggled to remain competitive in MotoGP, Marquez made the bold decision in 2024 to join Gresini Racing and ride a Ducati. That move paid off, as he won three races and gradually rebuilt his confidence.

His impressive performances earned him a promotion to the factory Ducati team for 2025, where he is now a top contender for a seventh premier-class championship. Despite his success in Thailand, Marquez surprised many by admitting that he did not feel at his fastest during the race.

Overcoming past struggles to return to winning ways

Marquez has had to overcome significant physical and mental challenges to reach this point. Speaking after his Thai GP victory, he reflected on the difficulties of returning to his peak performance following multiple injuries.

“I’m back to pushing the limits again to try to improve. In 2024, I did the most complicated thing, which was to come back and win with Gresini Racing after all those fractures.”

This determination has propelled him back to the top of MotoGP, and with a strong start to 2025, his rivals are beginning to feel the pressure.

The opening rounds of the MotoGP season seem to play into Marquez’s strengths. His ability to excel on low-grip tracks and in challenging conditions gives him a distinct advantage heading into the upcoming races.

The next stop, the Argentina Grand Prix, is one of his stronger circuits. Following that, the Grand Prix of the Americas at COTA is another track where Marquez has historically been dominant. With such a favorable start, he could build a significant lead in the championship standings before his competitors have a chance to respond.

Bagnaia, already struggling to keep up, could find himself trailing by a considerable margin after just three races.

Managing pressure and strategic decisions

While Marquez remains focused on winning, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has advised him to manage certain issues discreetly. After the Thai GP, Marquez revealed that he had to carefully control his tire pressures and even briefly drop behind his brother Alex to avoid problems.

Despite these minor setbacks, Marquez’s rivals are the ones facing the greatest pressure. If they fail to stop him early in the season, he could establish a commanding lead in the standings—one that might be impossible to overturn.

With his confidence restored, his skills sharpened, and his rivals on the back foot, Marc Marquez looks poised to reclaim his status as MotoGP’s dominant force in 2025.