Marc Marquez opens up about the risks of MotoGP racing

Marc Marquez discusses his approach to risk, past injuries, and his Ducati factory team ambitions.

Marc Marquez of Spain from the Ducati Lenovo Team consults with a team member during the free practice 1 session of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at the Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on February 28, 2025. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Marc Marquez has spoken candidly about the risks of MotoGP racing, sharing his mindset with former Isle of Man TT rider Adam Child. In an interview for The Telegraph, the eight-time world champion detailed his history of injuries, his relentless approach to competition, and how he has matured over the years.

Child, who raced the infamous Mountain Course for 11 years and secured a personal-best finish of fifth in 2018, asked Marquez why he continues to compete despite his numerous crashes and setbacks.

“Sometimes even I ask why I keep going,” Marquez admitted. “But motorbikes are my passion. If you ask what my hobby is, I say ‘motorbikes.’

“Riding motorbikes is my biggest hobby, and it has become my job. I’m super lucky to have this job, and I want to keep going.”

Marquez’s fearless approach to MotoGP racing

Throughout his career, Marquez has been known for his aggressive riding style, often pushing himself and his bike to the absolute limit. He explained that taking risks is part of his job, and he accepts the possibility of crashing as an unavoidable reality of racing at the highest level.

“On the bike, I take full risk every time because that is my job,” he said. “When you are crashing, sliding down the racetrack, you are only thinking about getting to the spare bike in the pits.

“Sometimes you understand the crash, sometimes no. But we are not scared about crashing.

“If you understand the crash—if you braked too late, for example, and you know why you crashed—you can push again straight away.”

Overcoming injuries and rebuilding confidence

Marquez’s fearless mentality has come at a cost. The devastating arm injury he suffered in 2020 not only threatened his career but also led to a series of setbacks in the following years. Returning to an uncompetitive Honda, he pushed beyond the bike’s limits, resulting in multiple crashes, including a disastrous 2023 German MotoGP at the Sachsenring.

Traditionally dominant at that circuit, Marquez found himself struggling with constant high-sides and ultimately withdrew before the grand prix, marking one of the lowest points in his career.

However, his move to Gresini Ducati in 2024 reignited his competitive fire. Armed with a more capable bike, he was once again able to fight for victories. More importantly, the relentless crashes that plagued his final years with Honda became far less frequent.

Now, as he begins the 2025 MotoGP season with the factory Ducati team, Marquez is once again a title favorite. His dominant performance at the season-opening Thai Grand Prix saw him claim pole position and storm to victory, proving he remains one of the most formidable riders on the grid.

A more measured approach to risk-taking

While Marquez remains one of the most aggressive riders in MotoGP, he acknowledges that his approach to risk has evolved over the years. Speaking at Ducati’s season launch in Italy, he compared his racing mindset to his experience skiing.

“When I was 20 years old, I would crash two or three times when skiing, trying to go fast,” he explained. “But at 31, I realize what an injury is, what an injury can do.

“So I take my time, I am calm on the skis, and take risks only on the racetrack—which is my job.”

With a new team, a competitive bike, and a more mature outlook, Marquez is poised for another shot at MotoGP glory. As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether he can channel his relentless aggression into a championship-winning campaign.