Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s seventh MotoGP title was arguably the most impressive of any of his triumphs across his career.
Joining Ducati was an almighty gamble, and could have ended up being a legacy-tarnishing move following a difficult few years with Honda. But, he made it work and ensured that the outcome ended in his favour, but not without a lot of struggle and adversity along the way.
Marquez had one chance to prove to the factory Ducati bosses that he could still perform at the top of his game, and he did so in 2024, managing to beat Jorge Martin to a gig for 2025. Even at the age of 31, they felt he brought the team more value than someone who would go on to win the MotoGP title.
And they were right. Although Marquez won’t admit he prefers the GP24 due to the advantage he has enjoyed over teammate Francesco Bagnaia, this year has been incredibly successful. In fact, Marquez has ‘demoralised’ Bagnaia over the last 12 months, which is an almost unthinkable feat.
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Luigi Dall’Igna says it will be ‘fair’ to judge MotoGP GOAT debate when Marc Marquez retires
Marquez’s 2025 title is ‘unrepeatable’ in so many ways, not just his performances on track. He had been doubted countless times before making a comeback from multiple life-changing injuries. He’s one of the few people on earth who just couldn’t let them defeat and define him.
Fabio Quartararo called Marquez’s comeback ‘spectacular’, and the amount of respect that his peers have for his achievements speaks volumes about just how special they are. He has single-handedly redefined what people thought to be achievable in the premier class.
Despite some exceptional showings in 2025, Bagnaia doesn’t blame Marquez for his crisis, and has been highly self-critical of himself this year. Ducati boss Luigi Dall’Igna isn’t quite ready to settle the MotoGP ‘Greatest of all time’ (GOAT) debate yet, though.
“You know what? I think Marc still has many years ahead of him to be able to increase his list of achievements,” he told Diario AS.
“And, therefore, in my opinion, it will be fair to take stock when he decides to hang his helmet on the wall.”
READ MORE: Toprak Razgatlioglu says Marc Marquez has highlighted something ‘very strange’ about MotoGP in 2025
How does Marc Marquez compare to other great MotoGP riders after 2025?
Ducati may have to break their salary policy to keep Marquez, with the Spaniard set to be a significant player in the 2027 MotoGP rider market.
In the future, there is the potential for him to go and break more records, and that might help solve the GOAT debate for some people.
After 2025, he now sits on 73 wins and in second place on the all-time list, just 16 behind Valentino Rossi (89) in first.
He’s level with his ex-rival on titles, and another win at Germany next year will see him draw level with Giacomo Agostini for most wins at the same track (10).
The record that may take a while to surpass is Rossi’s 199 podiums. On 126, Marquez might have to wait a few more years before beating that one.
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