Marc Márquez claims Argentina MotoGP victory, ties Ángel Nieto's record

Marc Márquez claims victory at Termas de Río Hondo, matching Ángel Nieto's 90 career wins across all categories.

Ducati Lenovo's Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates after winning the MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, on March 16, 2025. Photo by Luis Robayo/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Marc Márquez delivered a historic performance at the 2025 Argentina MotoGP, securing a hard-fought victory at the Termas de Río Hondo Circuit. With this win, the Spanish rider equaled Ángel Nieto's record of 90 career victories across all categories, cementing his legacy in MotoGP history. Márquez overcame fierce competition from his younger brother, Alex Márquez, and Franco Morbidelli, who joined him on the podium after an intense battle.

Strong start for the Márquez brothers

As the lights went out, Marc Márquez launched off the front row with a flawless start, taking the lead into the first corner. Alex Márquez slotted into second, while reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia held third position. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco made an impressive surge forward, trying to keep up with the leaders.

However, chaos unfolded in the opening corner as Marco Bezzecchi lost control and collided with Fabio Quartararo, forcing both riders to retire from the race. This early incident reshaped the battle at the front, giving the Márquez brothers an opportunity to establish a gap over the chasing pack.

Bagnaia attempted to challenge Alex Márquez for second place but was quickly fending off an aggressive move from Zarco. As the fight between Bagnaia and Zarco intensified, Marc and Alex Márquez extended their lead, turning the race into a family duel.

Alex Márquez takes the fight to his brother

As the race progressed, Alex Márquez showed his growing confidence, making a daring overtake on his brother on lap four. A slight miscalculation by Marc, where he ran wide in one of the corners, allowed Alex to capitalize and take the lead.

Marc Marquez of Spain and Lenovo Ducati competes in the MotoGP of Argentina race at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo on March 16, 2025, in Rio Hondo, Argentina. Photo by Gold & Goose/LAT Images

Further back, Franco Morbidelli continued his charge, surprising Zarco with a well-executed overtake to move into fourth place. Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini suffered his second crash of the race, ending his hopes of scoring points.

While the Márquez brothers battled for supremacy at the front, an equally intense fight unfolded in the midfield. Pedro Acosta and Joan Mir engaged in a thrilling contest for ninth place, showcasing their aggressive racing styles.

Marc Márquez fights back

Despite losing the lead, Marc Márquez remained relentless. On lap 10, he nearly lost control at Turn 6, executing a remarkable save that highlighted his signature riding style. This moment only fueled his determination to reclaim the top spot.

Three laps later, Marc launched a decisive attack, overtaking Alex, but a slight misjudgment forced him wide, allowing his brother to snatch back the lead. The back-and-forth battle between the two continued, with both riders trading fastest lap times in a gripping display of skill and precision.

With six laps remaining, Marc Márquez made his final move. Using the slipstream on the main straight, he executed a clean overtake to reclaim first place. This time, he made no mistakes, quickly extending his lead to over a second, securing his grip on the race.

A historic victory for Marc Márquez

As the checkered flag waved, Marc Márquez crossed the finish line, claiming his 90th career victory and equaling the legendary Ángel Nieto in the all-time MotoGP win rankings. It was a statement performance, proving that he remains a dominant force in the sport.

BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (left), Ducati Lenovo's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (center), and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Franco Morbidelli (right) celebrate on the podium after finishing second, first, and third, respectively, in the MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, on March 16, 2025. Photo by Luis Robayo/AFP

Alex Márquez delivered a strong ride to secure second place, while Franco Morbidelli completed the podium after a consistent and determined race.

With this victory, Marc Márquez not only strengthened his title ambitions for the 2025 MotoGP season but also solidified his place in history alongside some of the sport's greatest names. The championship battle now moves to the next round, where the fight for supremacy continues.