Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Marquez grabbed the second win of his MotoGP career at the Catalan Grand Prix. The Spaniard is enjoying his best season in the premier class in 2025.
The 29-year-old joined MotoGP in 2020 after winning the Moto2 title the year prior. Signing with Honda, he would be partnered with his brother Marc Marquez, who had just won his sixth premier class championship.
Alex Marquez struggled in his debut season with two podium finishes, while Marc missed the entire campaign after breaking his right arm at Jerez. The former was demoted to LCR for two seasons, before leaving Honda for Ducati in 2023.
Linking up with satellite team Gresini, Alex Marquez made his return to the podium, grabbing two in 2023. The following year, he would be teammates with his brother again after he ended a decade-long stint at Honda.
Marc Marquez stunned Gresini staff with his performances in 2024 as he won three races and finished third in the standings. While Alex Marquez enjoyed his best finish in MotoGP with eighth, he was overshadowed by his brother, something which has greatly affected him.
Marc Marquez feels Alex Marquez would be valued more without the ‘burden’ of having the same surname
The 2025 season has been a standout year for Alex Marquez as he rides the GP24. The Desmosedici remains the dominant bike in MotoGP, having won 16 out of 20 races last season.
The Spaniard has used the machine to his advantage as he displayed brilliant consistency at the start of the season, finishing second regularly behind his brother. Alex Marquez won his first MotoGP race at Jerez, taking the lead of the championship at that stage.
Recent crashes have hampered his charge, with the Gresini rider suffering an injury to his hand at Assen. Marc Marquez has built a commanding lead over the field, but his brother put an end to his 15-race win streak at the Catalan Grand Prix.
Alex Marquez grabbed a stunning pole position and won the race, getting over crashing from the lead in the Sprint. Speaking via GPOne after the race, Marc Marquez expressed pride towards his brother and all he has displayed in the premier class.
He believes that people would value his career more if he did not carry the Marquez name. Alex has seen it as a ‘burden’ as his brother has been so dominant: “People think that for Alex to have my last name is an advantage, but it’s not. People would value him more if he was not named Marquez.
“For me it has always been a burden for him and not a help. In recent years, riders like Mir, Quartararo, Bagnaia and Martin have won world championships. Maybe Alex has less talent, but he has so much desire to work a lot and in my opinion, if you have talent but you don’t work, it doesn’t work.
“On the other hand, if you decide to work a lot, sooner or later you get to the top.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Alex Marquez from net worth to career stats
Does Alex Marquez deserve a factory Ducati seat in the future?
Alex Marquez says his battle with Marc was ‘super important’ at Montmelo as it highlighted his return to the front of the grid. He has almost cemented his place in second in the championship as he sits 68 points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia.
Alex Marquez thinks Marc will help him finish second after he wraps up the title, which could happen at Motegi at the earliest. It would be a historic moment for the sport for the brothers to finish 1-2 in the standings, and it would put Marquez Jr in good standing for a promotion.
Ducati are considering reshuffling their roster for the 2026 season. With Bagnaia struggling on the GP25, the Borgo Panigale outfit could make changes as to which rider will have factory machinery.
Alex Marquez is ‘likely’ to ride a factory bike next season due to his impressive performances in 2025. He has a contract with Gresini until 2026, but unlike his brother, Alex Marquez is not thinking about joining Ducati as he is enjoying his time with the satellite team ‘too much’.
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