Alex Marquez knows precisely why Marc Marquez is ‘still superior’ despite now taking the championship lead

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Marc Marquez has dominated MotoGP since joining the factory Ducati crew, yet trails his younger brother Alex Marquez after the Gresini rider won the Spanish Grand Prix.

Only a single point separates the siblings in the 2025 MotoGP riders’ championship after the first five rounds. Consistency has been central to Alex Marquez leading the standings on 140 points to Marc Marquez on 139, despite the Ducati rider winning eight of the first 10 events.

Ducati handed the 32-year-old Marquez brother a factory spot for the 2025 MotoGP season and have reaped the rewards. Marc has won three of the first five Grands Prix plus all five of the Sprint Races to start the term, but crashes in Austin and Jerez are making the difference.

Alex Marquez led the MotoGP championship for the first time in his career after capitalising on the 29-year-old’s brother crashing in the lead of the Americas Grand Prix. He also gained the top step again after winning the Spanish GP while Marc recovered to P12 after crashing.

Alex Marquez is clear Marc Marquez is ‘still superior’ as the Ducati rider is setting the tone

Ducati saw their star hit the deck on Lap 3 of 25 when Marc Marquez crashed trying to keep up with Francesco Bagnaia in the Spanish GP. The six-time MotoGP riders’ champion pushed too hard through one of his strongest corners at Jerez, Turn 7, and lost the front of his GP25.

His fall paved the way for the Cervera native’s brother as Alex Marquez won his first MotoGP race at the 2025 Spanish GP after passing Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha. Yet the 2014 Moto3 and 2019 Moto2 champion is not reading too much into his championship lead.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Alex Marquez from net worth to career stats

Given it is Marc Marquez whom Alex Marquez is leading by one single point, the Gresini star will not get carried away with leading the MotoGP standings as he still thinks the Ducati ace is the ‘superior’ rider. He is also clear on that view given it is Marc who mainly sets the tone.

Marquez told COPE: “For me, it’s anecdotal because we have a rider – in this case Marc, my brother – who is second by one point. That’s why I think he’s a step ahead.

“Maybe we’re a little closer now, based on the first race. But he’s still the one setting the pace and the dynamics of the championship. He’s still superior.

“If he were at the same level as me, yes, I could fight with him. And if the level on track was similar, yes, there’s no doubt you’d say, ‘We can fight’. But I’m not at that level yet since I’m still a step away from being with him and the way he’s riding.”

Alex Marquez has put to bed accusations he’s only in MotoGP because of Marc Marquez

While the Gresini rider still puts his Ducati star brother ahead of himself, despite reclaiming the lead in the standings, Carlo Pernat thinks Alex Marquez is ‘stronger’ mentally than Marc Marquez. Fighting the six-time premier class champion will certainly test his mental resolve.

Alex has even had to endure living in Marc’s shadow whilst the elder sibling scooped 125cc (now Moto3) glory in 2010, Moto2 honours in 2012 and MotoGP titles in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Even the younger brother’s MotoGP debut was cast under a shadow.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend

Honda gave Alex Marquez his MotoGP debut in 2020 on the back of winning his Moto2 title. Yet he faced accusations that Honda only hired Alex as Marc Marquez wanted his brother at the team. Those criticisms have now firmly been put to bed with Alex’s 2025 title challenge.

“I am super happy because he deserves it,” Marc Marquez told Motorsport.com after Alex Marquez took the championship lead for the first time. “During his career I have read a lot, ‘He is the brother of Marc, he’s only in MotoGP because he’s the brother…’

“He is a two-time world champion, and he has talent. But he needs his time. When he finds the perfect bike for his riding style, he is able to be superfast.”