Marc Marquez stuns rivals with dominant Thailand MotoGP victory

Marquez claims pole, sprint win, and grand prix triumph in Buriram to take early MotoGP lead.

Marc Marquez of Spain and Ducati Lenovo Team speaks at the press conference following the MotoGP race during the MotoGP of Thailand at Chang International Circuit on March 2, 2025, in Buriram, Thailand. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Randy Ahmad

Marc Marquez sent a clear message to his competition with a masterful display at the Thailand MotoGP, delivering what TNT Sports’ Neil Hodgson described as a “knockout blow” to his rivals. The factory Ducati rider was in a league of his own throughout the weekend at Buriram, securing pole position before going on to win both the sprint race and the grand prix in dominant fashion.

Marquez’s statement performance in Buriram

Marquez’s debut season with Ducati’s factory team has been highly anticipated, and his performance in Thailand reinforced why he remains one of MotoGP’s most formidable riders. The eight-time world champion managed his race to perfection, overcoming early tyre pressure concerns before executing a strategic victory.

In the grand prix, Marquez bided his time behind his younger brother, Alex Marquez, before making his decisive move in the closing laps. The calculated overtake showcased his racecraft, patience, and ability to control the pace when it mattered most.

TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson was left in awe of Marquez’s dominance, stating, “The only man better than Alex Marquez was his brother, who was just in another league. That was a Marc Marquez performance. He rode around near his brother to get his front tyre temperature up.”

Hodgson emphasized how physically demanding it is to maintain optimal tyre temperatures while staying in control of the race. “We forget it’s so difficult to do that. You get all the heat off the bike and it’s exhausting. You have to deal with doing the calculation. That was a win with one hand on his hip, in the first race of the season.

“He has absolutely pulverised his opponents. Look at Francesco Bagnaia’s body language—he’s done.

“It’s a knockout blow in the first round. Yes, I know it’s a 22-round championship. I know there’s 21 rounds to go and anything can happen, and we’ll have all sorts of different conditions. But what a performance!

“Pecco is walking around punch-drunk—he’s been battered!

“That’s before we mention anyone else because there are no other rivals, they aren’t in his league.

“Serious meetings need to happen. Riders need to look at themselves. They are 20-odd seconds behind him—and Marc was sat back! He waited to pass with two laps to go and pulled 1.1 seconds in his first attempt to have a go!

“I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s unbelievable. He’s on another level, it’s unbelievable what I witnessed.”

Ducati’s factory team shift and its impact on MotoGP

Marquez’s move to Ducati’s factory team was seen as a potential turning point in the championship battle, and his immediate success in Buriram suggests that reigning champion Bagnaia may face a tougher challenge than expected. The Italian rider struggled to match Marquez’s pace, raising questions about Ducati’s internal dynamics and whether Marquez’s arrival has shifted the balance within the team.

Bagnaia, who has enjoyed strong support within Ducati over the past two seasons, now faces a direct challenge from Marquez, who has shown that he can extract the full potential of the Desmosedici GP25. Meanwhile, Jorge Martin, one of last season’s strongest contenders, is adapting to Aprilia machinery while managing injuries, further tilting the championship outlook in Marquez’s favor.

Marquez’s performance in Thailand mirrored the kind of relentless pace he displayed last season, despite riding an inferior Honda compared to the Ducati and Aprilia machines. His ability to mount a title challenge under challenging conditions in 2024 was already a testament to his skill, but now, with competitive machinery at his disposal, he appears to be the clear favorite.

Championship standings and the road ahead

With his victory in Thailand, Marquez now leads the MotoGP championship for the first time since 2019. While it is still early in the season, his dominance at Buriram has sent a strong signal to the rest of the grid.

The next round of the MotoGP season takes place in Argentina from March 14-16, where Marquez will aim to build on his early momentum. His rivals, including Bagnaia and Martin, will be looking for a response, but based on his performance in Thailand, they may have a difficult challenge ahead.

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Marquez and Ducati’s factory team to see if this early dominance translates into a sustained championship campaign. If his performance in Thailand is any indication, MotoGP may be witnessing the resurgence of one of its greatest champions.