Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez has quickly become the overwhelming favourite to win the 2025 MotoGP title. He feels right at home at Ducati.
The six-time MotoGP champion has already built a 14-lead in the championship after dominating the Thailand Grand Prix. Marquez took pole position and won the Sprint and main race.
Teammate Francesco Bagnaia had hoped to establish himself as the top rider in 2025. However, the Italian has started on the back foot after finishing third in Buriram.
Heading into the Argentina Grand Prix, Bagnaia will look to mount a challenge to his teammate. But everyone in the paddock expects Marquez to win given his previous success at Termas de Rio Hondo – the 32-year-old has won the Grand Prix three times.
It is not just the other side of the Ducati garage Bagnaia has to worry about. He finished behind his teammate’s brother Alex Marquez in Thailand, with the Gresini rider racing on the GP24.
The 28-year-old was partnered with brother Marc at the satellite Ducati team last season. Since his departure, Alex has found another gear.
Alex Marquez’s ‘confidence’ is back after removing the ‘shadow’ of his brother Marc Marquez
In his debut season on a Ducati bike after leaving Honda, Marc Marquez won three races on the GP23 and finished third in 2024. Alex managed one podium and finished down in eighth.
Since jumping on the GP24 – which won 16 out of 20 races last year – Michael Laverty and Neil Hodgson have noticed an ‘impressive’ change. Speaking on TNT Sports’ coverage of Free Practice in Argentina, they feel the ‘shadow’s been removed’ after Marc Marquez’s exit and Alex has found his ‘confidence.
“I think as soon as he jumped on the GP24, that gave him the confidence back that he kind of lost with the GP23. It wasn’t giving him the feeling and the previous season he was probably more consistent and stronger,” said Laverty.
“Now he’s got the tools, he’s got the confidence. He seems like everything’s pretty much in line for him to challenge and learn from and try and replicate what Marc can do.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Alex Marquez from net worth to career stats
“And yeah, every race track he’s delivered. To be sat here on a Friday afternoon, three tenths advantage, better than the laps we’ve seen two years ago here, it’s impressive from Alex Marquez.
“Across every race track we’ve been to, every session, every dynamic whether it was qualifying, race trims, he’s got it all lined up well I think for a proper, consistent run for it this championship chase.
Hodgson then added: “And the shadow’s been removed from the garage because when his brother was next to him in the garage, it cast a shadow over Alex. [It’s] just the reality of what always happens in race teams.
“And you end up getting demoralised with it. Even if it is your brother, it makes no difference.”
Why Marc Marquez’s mother would prefer Alex Marquez to win the 2025 title
Despite being on year-old machinery compared to the factory Ducati riders, Alex Marquez has proved he can be competitive. The Spaniard was a standout rider in pre-season and has carried that momentum into 2025.
Fellow satellite Ducati rider Franco Morbidelli thinks wins are ‘definitely’ possible on the GP24. Marquez will want to go one step further after finishing second in Buriram.
The 28-year-old did lead a large part of the season opener after Marc Marquez suffered a tyre pressure issue. But the six-time champion reclaimed the lead in the final few laps to secure his first win in red.
Winning the 2025 title would mark an incredible comeback for Marc Marquez after years plagued with injury. However, Marquez’s mother would prefer Alex to become champion to debunk a ‘lie’ that he is only riding in MotoGP because of his brother.
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