Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s majestic 2025 season appeared to be building towards one final crescendo at the San Marino Grand Prix. There was a chance he was going to seal the title on Valentino Rossi’s turf.
The Misano circuit is located around 20 minutes from The Doctor’s home town of Tavullia. Rossi won the San Marino GP three times in the premier class.
Marquez needed to outscore his brother Alex by 10 points at the previous race Barcelona to bring about the opportunity. He appeared well on course after capitalising on the Gresini rider’s crash to win the Sprint.
But Alex rallied in Sunday’s race to end Marc’s winning streak, reducing his net points loss to seven. As such, the Ducati factory star will have to wait until Motegi at the end of this month for his first chance.
Marc Marquez says ‘screw them’ over Valentino Rossi ‘match point’ theory
Marquez is about to equal Rossi on seven premier-class titles, and it would have been especially painful for the Italian if he’d done so at Misano. But it could also have prompted a hostile reaction.
Marquez was booed at Mugello earlier this year, and at the San Marino GP last season when he won for Gresini. His team have been bracing themselves for a repeat.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro urged Misano’s fans to be respectful in a recent social media video. Some have speculated that Marquez deliberately eased off last weekend to avoid an awkward coronation.
But speaking to outlets including Motorsport Espana on Thursday, he rubbished that theory. He says Alex beat him on merit, but he’s determined to wrap up the championship so he can focus fully on next year.
“To those who think I didn’t win at Montmelo so I wouldn’t wrap up the title at Misano, screw them,” he said.
“I tried to get the match point, but I couldn’t because there was a faster rider on Sunday. I want to close it out as soon as possible, because that will mean we’re still on the same path. These races are already preparation for 2026.”
What does Marc Marquez need to do to win the MotoGP title in the next two races?
Heading into this weekend, there are 259 points up for grabs. Marquez’s lead stands at 182.
By the time the chequered flag falls in Japan on 28 September, there will only be 185 available. Thus, he needs to increase his lead by just three points across the next two Grands Prix.
Marquez has been so dominant this year that it’s long been a question of when, rather than if, he becomes the champion. It’s telling that the timing has become a story in itself.
Jorge Lorenzo says Marc and Alex Marquez will surpass F1’s Schumacher brothers with their likely one-two finish in the standings. Even the Ant of Cervera wouldn’t have expected the season to play out so favourably.
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