Marc Marquez’s resurgence with Ducati

Marc Marquez takes pole, Sprint, and main race victory as he starts 2025 MotoGP season strong.

Marc Marquez of Spain and Ducati Lenovo Team rides during the Sprint race of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on March 1, 2025. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Marc Marquez made a statement in his first race as a Ducati factory rider, delivering a dominant performance at the Thailand Grand Prix. The six-time MotoGP champion secured pole position, won the Sprint race, and led the main race to victory, marking a near-perfect start to his 2025 season.

Marquez entered the season opener as one of the title favorites, alongside reigning champion and teammate Francesco Bagnaia. However, the Spaniard has been careful not to declare himself the outright contender, choosing to downplay championship expectations despite his early dominance in Buriram.

Since suffering a career-altering injury at Jerez in 2020, Marquez has been on a long road back to the top. His final seasons with Honda were marred by struggles, prompting him to leave the manufacturer that had defined his MotoGP career. In 2024, he made an immediate impact with Gresini Racing, winning three races and finishing on the podium 10 times aboard year-old Ducati machinery.

His performances convinced Ducati to sign him for the factory team in place of Enea Bastianini, a decision that also led to the departure of Jorge Martin, despite his championship-winning season. Now racing in Ducati red, Marquez is in his best position to reclaim the MotoGP title, and his dominant performance in Thailand has reinforced his status as a serious contender.

A flawless weekend in Buriram

Marquez wasted no time asserting himself at the Chang International Circuit. He took pole position and converted it into victory in Saturday’s Sprint race, finishing ahead of his younger brother, Alex Marquez, and Bagnaia. The trio maintained their positions in Sunday’s main race, with Marc leading the way once again.

Despite his dominant result, the race was not without challenges. An early overtake by Alex Marquez saw the factory Ducati rider briefly lose the lead due to a front tyre pressure issue. However, once he met the minimum required laps for legal tyre pressure, Marc retook control of the race, passing his brother with a handful of laps remaining before pulling away to victory.

Marquez’s calculated approach to victory

MotoGP journalist Oriol Puigdemont, speaking on the Tank Slappers podcast, suggested that Marquez was initially reluctant to showcase his full dominance but was forced to do so due to the tyre pressure regulations.

“My feeling, after speaking with people from his entourage and Ducati, is that he didn’t want to show that level of dominance,” Puigdemont said. “He was forced to because of the tyre pressures. What happened on Sunday was a statement.”

Puigdemont further explained that Marquez was in full control of the race, managing his pace effortlessly while his rivals were pushing to their limits.

“He was comfortable cruising while others were at full gas and close to making mistakes. That’s why his tyre pressure didn’t increase, and he had to push.”

Momentum heading into Argentina and Austin

With a victory in Buriram, Marquez has a strong opportunity to build momentum in the next two rounds. The upcoming races in Argentina and Austin are among his strongest circuits, where he has historically excelled. If he continues his form, he could gain an early lead in the title race over Bagnaia.

However, his mother, Roser Alenta, remains cautious despite her son’s flawless start to the season. She believes it is too early to declare him the champion, warning that Bagnaia could still mount a comeback.

Thailand was an emotional race for the Marquez family. Marc and Alex made history as the first brothers to finish one-two in a premier-class MotoGP race, a moment that left their father, Julià Marquez, overwhelmed with emotion.

For Marc, his victory in Buriram also served as validation of his long road back to the top. His mother’s words from 2020, after his devastating crash in Jerez, now seem prophetic: “Everything will work out.”