Marc Marquez’s 2025 MotoGP comeback has captured the attention of the racing world after an exhilarating start to the season, where he won seven of the first eight races from the opening rounds. Despite this dominant return, Marquez revealed he was very close to quitting the sport altogether due to years of physical pain, injury setbacks, and waning motivation before deciding to fight on.
On the eve of the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, the venue where he clinched three of his previous world titles, Marquez opened up about how a persistent inner voice stopped him from retiring. His desire to prove he remained competitive pushed him to switch teams and ride a year-old Ducati GP machine, a bold move that has paid off spectacularly this season.
Years of Struggle and the Brink of Retirement
Marc Marquez’s career faced a major challenge after his severe crash at the opening race of the 2020 MotoGP season at Jerez, which resulted in a serious right arm injury. Known for his almost unstoppable confidence and six world titles ahead of 2020, Marquez made the critical error of rushing back to competition just a week after surgery, attempting to defend his 2019 form. This early return caused lasting damage and forced him out of the majority of the 2020 and early 2021 seasons.
When Marquez returned in Portugal mid-2021, he noticed something was profoundly wrong. His arm felt unnatural, and he struggled with pain that only worsened as time passed. The injury involved a 34-degree rotation of his right arm, eventually leading to a fourth operation in the United States. Recovery was grueling, and his motivation plummeted.
“The feeling was a lot of pain, and that was the hardest moment … there was no motivation to continue.”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
This period was filled with uncertainty, as Marquez battled poor performance, multiple crashes, and physical setbacks throughout 2022 and 2023, all while Honda’s competitiveness diminished. Realizing that Honda’s recovery timeline no longer aligned with his ambitions, Marquez began considering alternatives for his future in the sport.
Taking a Risk: The Move to Ducati
Marc’s decision to leave Honda and join Ducati’s satellite Gresini team was both daring and unconventional. He reportedly walked away from a lucrative contract worth around 20 million Euros and accepted a ride with an older GP23 bike without payment, all to prove he still had the speed and skill to compete at the highest level.
“To leave Honda and ride for free for a very good team in Gresini, but ride for free … just to prove to myself that I was able to be competitive, that was a very big challenge where I risk a lot of things.”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
This decision was influenced in part by his younger brother Alex Marquez, who was already racing with Gresini Ducati and provided valuable insights to Marc on the team and bike environment. The brothers’ relationship played an important role in Marc’s transition, letting him make a more confident choice.
“I had good comments from my brother [Alex], and that helped.”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
“Alex helped me a lot to take the decision.”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
Despite piloting a year-old machine, Marquez quickly rebuilt his confidence, winning three Grands Prix and signaling that his comeback was gaining momentum. His experience, coupled with Ducati’s competitive package, gradually refocused his career trajectory away from mere participation toward genuine championship contention.
Racing to Redemption: A Season Filled with Surprises
Marc Marquez’s 2025 campaign has emerged as one of the most dominant performances in recent MotoGP history. So far, he has secured 11 wins out of 16 Grands Prix and 14 out of 16 sprint races, amassing 512 points from a possible 592. Only his 2019 record season demonstrated a higher level of domination.
This success not only reflects Marquez’s skill but the synergy he has found with Ducati’s latest machine, the GP25 bike. His teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, who claimed the world title twice in 2022 and 2023, has struggled to adapt to the new bike, highlighting Marquez’s exceptional aptitude in bending the motorcycle to his style.
Marquez has broken long-standing victory droughts in iconic locations such as Qatar, Mugello, Assen, and the Red Bull Ring, while solidifying his legacy at tracks where he has historically excelled, including the Sachsenring and Aragon.
Meanwhile, his brother Alex is experiencing a breakthrough season, doubling his previous best points tally and winning multiple races on the same team. Their remarkable success has made this season uniquely historic.
“I was preparing my pre-season with one target, that was to try to fight for the championship,”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
“But the way we are fighting for the championship is something nobody can predict. I win a lot of races, I win in circuits that normally I struggle … this is something unusual, and difficult to repeat.”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
The brothers have shared the podium six times this year and appeared together on the sprint race podium on eleven occasions, an achievement not seen since 1997 when Japanese siblings Nobuatsu and Takuma Aoki raced side by side.
“We are first and second in the world championship … I mean, you don’t have a bigger championship with motorbikes. It’s unreal,”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
“When you have that connection with your brother and you are fighting on the race track, there could be some friction in the relationship, but it’s going in the opposite way. It’s tighter than ever. Without me, he would lead the championship … maybe if we go back, he will not give me that advice to go to Gresini.”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
What Lies Ahead for Marquez and MotoGP
As the 2025 MotoGP season moves beyond its 17th round in Japan, Marc Marquez remains on the brink of securing another world title, needing only a small points margin over his brother to clinch the championship with five rounds still remaining. This success would mark his seventh MotoGP championship, fulfilling a long-held ambition and capping what is arguably one of the greatest comebacks in world sports.
Marquez’s journey reveals the physical and mental challenges behind elite competition and underscores the role self-doubt and perseverance play even for champions. Despite the emotional roller coaster of injuries and near retirement, Marquez’s return represents a powerful statement of resilience and determination.
“When I retire some day, I know that more than what I tried was impossible,”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
Looking ahead, Marquez’s remarkable renewal has set a new benchmark for rivals and fans alike, raising expectations for the remainder of the season and beyond. His experience shows that even in the face of uncertainty and physical pain, a strong will and strategic decisions can reignite a champion’s career.
“Two years ago, I cannot imagine that I will be in this form. Now we are winning a lot, for that reason I feel relaxed, I feel a lot of confidence … but I know, because I had experience, from one day to the other one can change everything.”
Marc Marquez, MotoGP rider
