In Motegi, Japan, Marc Márquez claimed the 2025 MotoGP world championship this morning by finishing second in the race, ensuring his seventh premier class title. This victory places Márquez alongside Valentino Rossi, both sharing seven titles, and just one behind Giacomo Agostini’s all-time record of eight championships. The Spaniard’s achievement highlights his relentless pursuit in the sport and marks a significant milestone in his career as the Marc Márquez MotoGP Champion.
The Emotional Journey Behind Márquez’s Triumph
Márquez’s path to this title was far from easy, marked by self-conflict and resilience. Reflecting on the moment, he revealed a complex emotional state:
“I’ve cried enough, and I think I’m dehydrated and everything. But the most important thing, and the first thing that came out of my head, was, ‘I’m at peace with myself.’ That was the first thought; it was like crossing the finish line and… I beat Marc, I won.”
He described an internal struggle over the years between different versions of himself, saying,
“It’s been a Marc-versus-Marc battle for many years. One Marc wanted one thing, another Marc wanted another, and in the end, I followed my instinct, advised by those around me; liberated also by those around me. When I say liberated, I mean they gave me their trust and the opportunity to decide whatever I decided; they were still my friends. And this has been a weight, a responsibility I didn’t have on my shoulders, and it’s helped me a lot to continue on my path.”
This title is not only a personal victory but a tribute to those who supported him relentlessly. He acknowledged many individuals, especially Carlos García, who was present most at home, and a host of physiotherapists and doctors who have aided him through his battles. The dedication extended to figures like Bernat Sánchez de la Vista and Ignacio Roser de Oña, emphasizing how much support surrounded his comeback.
Closing a Difficult Chapter at Motegi with Gratitude and Reflection
Speaking from Motegi, Márquez expressed his appreciation to the sports community involved intimately with his journey:
“I’ve been in doctors’ offices more than on the track. But, well, in the end, for me the most beautiful thing has been closing this circle, where everyone inside knows who they are, in Japan, which is where I really made the final decision. Where I won my last title with Honda, where I made the decision to follow my path, where they let me make that decision, and we closed it out by celebrating on the podium with the entire Ducati team and my Honda team, thanks to Joan Mir who took them there.”
– Marc Márquez, MotoGP Champion
Managing the Intensity of Victory Amid Personal Challenges
The emotional intensity of securing the championship was a struggle for Márquez to contain. He shared how excitement sometimes compromised his composure:
“If I was focused, I breathed well, I was calm. But when my mind wandered to what I could achieve today, I got excited. And when you get excited, your breathing becomes a little labored, and this is what I tried to control the most. Whenever that happened, I would say something stupid to the people around me.”
He revealed a touching moment during the national anthem before the race, explaining the vulnerability beneath his competitive exterior:
“I was during the anthem and it just crossed my mind what I could achieve, and I was standing next to Aldeguer and I said, ‘I’m shitting myself.’ It was like that, but well, it’s the first thing that came to mind. We’re human, we’re not perfect, we’re human, and it’s also very hard to control this. And it was the day, when I’ve played in a World Cup, even more than in 2013, that I’ve struggled the most to control my emotions.”
– Marc Márquez, MotoGP Champion
The Impact of Ducati Signing and Renewed Focus on Passion
Márquez credits his move to Ducati as a pivotal moment that opened new opportunities within his racing career. He explained,
“That’s when I jump from the factory team, it opens up for me. I already see the top of the mountain. I say, ‘Okay, I’m in the team.’ I said it in preseason, putting myself forward and assuming the responsibility. It’s in my hands, and I want to be a champion. I’m in the best team, with the best bike.”
However, he also stated that his initial decisions were not merely about winning but about continuing to find joy in the sport:
“When I take the paths, the decisions back then, it wasn’t with the aim of winning another title in mind. It was simply with the thought of, I want to continue enjoying my passion, which is motorcycling, but I enjoy it by fighting for podiums and victories. Otherwise, it’s hard for me to enjoy myself.”
Adapting to a Changing Sport and Embracing the Present
Márquez acknowledges the shifting dynamics in MotoGP, noting examples such as Pecco Bagnaia’s unexpected victory at Motegi. He reflected on the unpredictability of outcomes and the evolving competition:
“Would you have said three races ago that Pecco would win at Motegi? No, and he did. So the sport changes from one day to the next, and that’s why today I’m going to enjoy it, this year I’m going to enjoy it.”
He also made clear that his focus was now on maintaining balance and well-being, rather than overly stressing about results in the remaining races:
“I don’t care about these last five races, what happens. I don’t want to hurt myself. So it won’t be like before; it’s about staying focused and starting to prepare for the 26th, when we’ll go with the same enthusiasm.”
The Role of Family, Friends, and Teams in Márquez’s Success
The support system surrounding Márquez was a vital element in his resurgence. He emphasized the importance of his environment, stating,
“It wasn’t me, it wasn’t my mirror, it wasn’t a professional. It was my environment, it was my friends, and when I say friends… My families, the different families. The different families.”
He named several key contributors, including his brother and the Gresini team, adding that the assurance from Honda’s team was critical:
“The decision that helped me the most was when the entire Honda team told me, ‘Whatever you do, we’ll still be your friends and we’ll still have the same relationship,’ and that was a weight on my shoulders that helped me.”
Highlighting how personal stability contributed to his performance, Márquez said, «And then what’s helped the most is that nowadays in sports, everything helps. In my personal life, I’m very stable, everything’s going well, very much in love, my partner, my family are also stable, everything’s going well, and this helps. The whole environment is what has helped me get out of that… Because when you’re on the ground, you can jump, but when you’re underground, if they don’t help you, if they don’t give you a hand to pull you up, you can’t get out alone.»
The Future of Márquez’s Racing Identity and Legacy
Looking ahead to 2026, Márquez confirmed he will retain the number 93 on his bike, a symbol deeply connected to his identity:
“No, the 93 is already a part of me, I can’t imagine riding a bike without the 93. We’ll see for now, enjoy this race, see how this day ends, see how the championship ends and we’ll see, maybe you end up one way and from one winter, from one December to another February, things change for you.”
He acknowledged the competitive field ahead and mentioned potential rivals and manufacturers who could influence the future of the sport. Despite the uncertainty, the current season reflects a strong and consistent performance:
“For now this year we’ve had a very good year, solid and always at the front.”
By equaling Valentino Rossi’s record, Márquez joins the ranks of legendary champions, placing him alongside names like Ángel Nieto and Giacomo Agostini. He expressed pride in this accomplishment:
“Great names in different sports, you can match Agostini in victories, the great Ángel Nieto, or other names… And now, to equal the great Valentino Rossi, for me, is another honor and a pleasure. So, well, being among those names is already a dream.”
