Neil Hodgson shares where he really thought Alex Marquez would finish in the 2025 standings

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Alex Marquez secured second in the 2025 MotoGP standings at the Malaysian Grand Prix, capping off a strong weekend with a win on Sunday.

The Gresini rider sealed the runner-up spot after finishing second in the Sprint race behind Francesco Bagnaia. Marco Bezzecchi could only manage seventh on Saturday after a difficult qualifying.

Marc Marquez reacted as Alex Marquez secured P2 in the championship, saying that he ‘couldn’t ask’ for more. It is the first time in MotoGP history that two brothers have finished first and second in the standings.

Alex Marquez followed up his feat by dominantly winning the Malaysian Grand Prix. He took the lead from Bagnaia on lap two and was unchallenged as he claimed his third win of the season.

Neil Hodgson expected Alex Marquez to finish between ‘fifth to sixth’ in 2025

Marquez had only ever finished as high as eighth in the premier class. Not many expected him to have the season he has had in 2025, having struggled for consistency.

Neil Hodgson was among them, believing that the Spaniard would finish between fifth and sixth. Speaking via TNT Sports 2 (26/10, 8:25 am), he applauded him for his ‘outstanding’ season.

“It’s been incredible,” he said. “At the start of the year, when he finished second and followed his brother home, you thought: ‘Wow, got to make the most of these results. That’ll be really good’.

“At the start of the year, I had Alex Marquez down for about fifth to sixth in the championship, around that area.

“And then he backed up, and then he backed it up again. And then he won and you’re like: ‘I tell you what. There is a possibility, still slim, that if he can stay consistent, he might finish second in the world’. I mean, he’s done it comfortably, he’s been outstanding.”

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

How Alex Marquez beat factory Ducati riders to P2 in 2025

Riding the GP24, which won an incredible 16 races in 2024, Alex Marquez had the bike to compete at the front this season. Given his past inconsistency, many did not expect him to be a challenger.

However, the 29-year-old has been Marc Marquez’s closest rival in 2025, with 13 Sprint podiums and 11 Grand Prix podiums. He has finished second 18 times across the season, consistently putting himself amongst the frontrunners.

He has had the advantage over factory Ducati riders in 2025, with Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio struggling to adapt to the GP25. Dani Pedrosa says Marquez made ‘the difference’ over Bagnaia with his mental resilience.

Marquez will receive a factory bike in 2026, alongside his brother, Bagnaia, and Diggia. With equal machinery, he could mount an even bigger challenge next season.