Marquez learns from Bagnaia to improve right-hand turns

Marc Marquez studies Francesco Bagnaia’s riding style to strengthen his right-hand cornering and stay competitive in MotoGP 2025.

Marc Marquez of Spain and Lenovo Ducati Team attends a riders' press conference during previews for the MotoGP of Argentina at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo on March 13, 2025, in Rio Hondo, Argentina. Photo by Gold & Goose/LAT Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Marc Marquez has been carefully studying Francesco Bagnaia’s techniques to enhance his performance in right-hand corners. Recognizing this as one of his weaknesses, the eight-time world champion is determined to refine his riding style and avoid falling behind in MotoGP 2025.

Marquez’s struggles with right-hand turns

Marquez is widely recognized for his exceptional skill in left-hand corners. This strength has given him an edge on circuits that run counterclockwise, such as Austin and Sachsenring. However, right-hand corners have historically been a weak point for him, limiting his ability to dominate on more balanced tracks.

Understanding this, Marquez has taken a strategic approach by closely observing his teammate at Ducati Lenovo, Francesco Bagnaia, who excels in right-hand turns.

"I’ve been training hard to improve my right-hand cornering. I’ve been watching Pecco (Francesco Bagnaia) closely because he is incredibly strong in that area. My brother Alex (Marquez) is also quite good at it," Marquez said in an interview with Crash on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Marquez’s new riding style brings success

Marquez's efforts have started to pay off. His refined technique helped him dominate the opening round of the MotoGP 2025 season in Thailand, where he won both the Sprint Race and the main race without a single crash.

He believes this improvement is a game-changer for his consistency.

"I feel like I’ve improved, and I’m no longer struggling. My goal isn’t just to be faster than before, but to be more consistent," Marquez explained.

Studying rivals for better performance

Marquez’s learning process goes beyond right-hand turns. The six-time MotoGP champion has been meticulously analyzing how his rivals approach different aspects of racing.

"I’ve been watching a lot of race footage, paying close attention to their body movements, foot positioning, braking techniques, and overall strategies. I still have to work on being more consistent," he added.

What’s next for Marquez in MotoGP 2025?

With his improved cornering skills and a new approach to racing, Marquez is expected to be a strong contender throughout the season. Fans are eager to see how he performs in the next race, the MotoGP Argentina 2025, set to take place at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo from March 14 to 16.

Marquez’s progress signals a thrilling season ahead, as he aims to prove that he remains one of the most formidable riders on the MotoGP grid.