Alex Marquez hits out at the ‘lie’ he’s heard about MotoGP title rival Francesco Bagnaia

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Alex Marquez ranks as the biggest title rival for his brother Marc Marquez ahead of the 2025 MotoGP Italian Grand Prix, with Francesco Bagnaia sat a further 61 points adrift.

A total of 93 points separate the trio atop the standings heading into the Mugello round this weekend. Marc Marquez leads the way on 233 points after the first eight rounds, while Alex Marquez has 201 and Bagnaia 140, putting him closer to Franco Morbidelli in fourth on 115.

Marc Marquez has largely dominated the way since he joined the factory Ducati team in the 2025 MotoGP season, having partnered Alex at Gresini last term for his first year racing on a Desmosedici. The 32-year-old has already won four Grands Prix plus seven Sprints this year.

Alex has even been more successful than Bagnaia so far this term, after the 29-year-old won the Spanish Grand Prix and the Silverstone Sprint. Ducati have only seen their rider seal one win, when Bagnaia won the Americas Grand Prix after Marc Marquez crashed out of the lead.

Alex Marquez slams claims that Francesco Bagnaia struggles as Marc Marquez is ‘in his head’

This term has largely been tougher for the Italian than his new Spanish partner at the Borgo Panigale natives, as Bagnaia has struggled with Ducati’s longer front fork on their 2025 bike more than Marc Marquez. He endured a troubled start to 2025 trying to adapt to the GP25.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number

Yet Bagnaia has even faced claims that his struggles stem from having Marc Marquez in his head, given he has been dominated by the six-time premier class champion since he joined the two-time title-winner at Ducati. But Alex has hit out at those claims, calling them ‘a lie’.

Marquez said, via quotes by GPOne: “I don’t think that, as many people say, Pecco has Marc in his head. Or, rather, it’s normal that [Bagnaia] has him [in Pecco’s head] because he’s first in the world championship, he rides his own bike and he’s making the difference.

“However, he doesn’t have him in his head because it’s he and Marc. It could also be another rider. Pecco is a two-time MotoGP world champion and he wants to win. That’s why he keeps him as a reference, not because he is obsessed.

“We all have Marc in our minds because of what he is doing. To say that Pecco is suffering because he has Marquez in his head is a lie.

“He is trying to stay in front and when you try and you don’t succeed, as happened to Bagnaia at the beginning of the championship, it can be a little frustrating. But not because it’s Marc, but because there is a rider in front.”

Francesco Bagnaia faces pressure he has never experienced at Ducati with Marc Marquez his teammate

Allegations that Bagnaia struggles as he has Marc Marquez ‘in his head’ is not the only claim that Alex Marquez has taken issue with. The Gresini star also put claims about himself in the spotlight as Alex Marquez does not get ‘why’ he is still a ‘surprise’ 2025 MotoGP title threat.

Bagnaia has struggled to adapt to the GP25 as he has rarely felt Ducati’s 2025 bike suits his riding style. His woes have even helped Alex shine and battle Marc for the lead of the riders’ championship, with the younger Marquez brother exploiting riding Ducati’s 2024 challenger.

But it is also fair to highlight the added pressure that Bagnaia now faces having Marc as his teammate at Ducati this year. The 28-year-old was the Bologna Bullets’ clear No1 with Jack Miller (2021-22) and Enea Bastianini (2023-24) sat beside him, yet he is becoming the No2.