Marc Marquez nominated for Laureus Comeback of the Year award

MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez earns a Laureus Awards nomination for his remarkable return to form in the 2024 season.

Marc Marquez of Spain and Ducati Lenovo Team celebrates after winning the MotoGP PT Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on March 2, 2025. Photo by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Nur

By Randy Ahmad and Yuni Utomo

Current MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez has been nominated for the prestigious Laureus Comeback of the Year award, recognizing his remarkable resurgence in the sport. The factory Ducati rider’s impressive return to the top level of competition in 2024 has earned him a place among elite athletes vying for the honor.

Marquez’s nomination follows his dominant performance at the 2025 Thai Grand Prix, where he secured both the sprint and grand prix victories, propelling him into the championship lead for the first time since 2019. His resurgence comes after years of struggle, making his return to winning form one of the most compelling stories in MotoGP.

Marquez’s road to redemption after career-threatening injury

The eight-time world champion endured a long road to recovery after suffering a severe arm injury at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix. The injury forced him out for the rest of that season and significantly impacted his performance in the following two years. Despite returning to racing, Marquez struggled with uncompetitive machinery at Honda, which limited his ability to challenge for victories.

Determined to reclaim his status as a title contender, Marquez made the bold decision to leave his factory Honda contract a year early, opting to join the satellite Gresini team on a year-old Ducati for the 2024 season. The move proved to be a masterstroke, as Marquez quickly adapted to the Ducati and secured three grand prix victories, finishing third in the championship. His performances earned him a highly coveted seat in the factory Ducati team for 2025.

Marquez among elite nominees for Comeback of the Year

Marquez’s nomination places him in a distinguished field of athletes recognized for their resilience and determination. He is joined by gymnast Rebeca Andrade, swimmer Caeleb Dressel, Alpine skier Lara Gut-Behrami, cricketer Rishabh Pant, and swimmer Ariarne Titmus in the Comeback of the Year category.

This is not the first time Marquez has been acknowledged by the Laureus Awards. He was previously nominated in the same category in 2022 and was a two-time nominee for Sportsman of the Year in 2015 and 2020. In 2014, he won the Breakthrough of the Year award following his historic rookie MotoGP title in 2013.

A strong start to the 2025 MotoGP season

Marquez has already made history in his debut race with the factory Ducati squad, becoming the first rider since Casey Stoner in 2007 to win on their first outing for the team. His commanding performance in Thailand solidified his place as the championship leader, holding an eight-point advantage as the series heads to the second round in Argentina.

The Termas de Río Hondo circuit has been a strong venue for Marquez in the past, with the Spaniard securing three MotoGP victories at the track. With momentum on his side, he will be aiming to extend his lead and strengthen his bid for a record-equaling ninth world championship.

Marquez’s Laureus nomination is yet another testament to his resilience and determination, marking one of the most remarkable comebacks in MotoGP history.

More from MotoGP coverage

• Marc Marquez secures victory in Thailand, matching Casey Stoner’s Ducati debut recor.
• Factory Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi refutes claims that a miscalculation caused Marc Marquez’s front tyre pressure issue in the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix.
• Francesco Bagnaia believes Marc Marquez had pace in reserve and could have won comfortably.