No one in the MotoGP paddock expected Marc Marquez to do one thing in his debut season with Honda

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When Marc Marquez joined Honda in MotoGP in 2013, not many could have predicted the incredible heights he would reach in the premier class.

The Spaniard had considerable hype around him, given that he was joining the defending champions and replacing Casey Stoner. Fresh off winning the Moto2 title, Marquez would be immediately put up against legendary talents such as Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.

But right from the off, the Ant of Cervera was competing at the front. Rossi was worried about Marquez after his MotoGP debut in Qatar, finishing second after qualifying in sixth.

By the following race, Marquez was already a winner in the premier class. He claimed victory in Austin, which would mark his first of six wins in 2013 as he claimed his maiden MotoGP title in his debut season.

No one expected Marc Marquez to win his first MotoGP race so quick, or win the title in his debut season

The Spaniard became the youngest winner in MotoGP history with his victory at COTA. No one in the paddock could have anticipated that Marquez could achieve that feat so soon in his career.

Speaking via Racing Back, journalists and commentators Nick Harris and Julian Ryder recalled how ‘none of us’ expected Marquez to become a race winner in his debut season.

“Then of course, Marc Marquez became the youngest, 2013, COTA, Circuit of the Americas. When it was our first visit there, wasn’t it?” said Harris.

“He’d finished what, third, in Qatar? Yeah, third in Qatar, hadn’t he, the race before on his debut? But I don’t think, Julian, you were in the commentary box, I was in the commentary box, none of us really expected him to win a race that quick.”

Ryder then added: “No, we thought he’d probably, it was a normal thing. ‘Well, he’ll probably win a race this season, but he won’t win the title,” to which Harris replied: “What do we know, eh? What do we know?”

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

Could Marc Marquez return to Honda one day?

Marquez went on to win five more titles with Honda between 2014 and 2019, before his dominance was ended by a near-career-ending crash at Jerez in 2020. Multiple injury setbacks and the manufacturer’s regression led to his departure for Gresini in 2024.

This led him to Ducati in 2025, which marked an incredible comeback for the 32-year-old. Marquez has become MotoGP’s oldest champion and levelled Rossi’s record of seven premier class titles.

Luigi Dall’Igna is ‘savouring’ his time with Marquez, knowing that their partnership could soon be over. The Spaniard has been linked with a sensational move back to Honda in the future.

Marquez has not discussed a contract extension with Ducati yet, adding more fuel to the fire that he could be on the move come 2027. It would be an incredible reunion with Honda, but the Borgo Panigale outfit will do everything they can to keep the 32-year-old on board.