Marc Marquez claimed a second-place finish behind Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday morning, clinching his seventh MotoGP championship with four races still to run in the 2025 season. This victory marks Marquez’s return to the top after a challenging period, securing his first title since 2019 and reinforcing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Matching Legends and Chasing History
With this seventh championship, Marquez joins Valentino Rossi on the Tower of Champions, tying their record for most MotoGP titles. He now trails only Giacomo Agostini, who holds the record for the most championships in the sport’s history. This milestone underlines Marquez’s enduring talent and competitiveness across more than a decade of racing.
The Long Road Back to Victory
Marquez’s path to this seventh title was anything but straightforward. After dominating early in his career—winning six of his first seven championships from 2013 onward—his trajectory was interrupted in 2020 by a severe crash during the season opener, initially scheduled for round nine before COVID-19 altered the MotoGP calendar. The accident caused a broken arm and forced Marquez through four surgeries over two years, derailing his title defense and keeping him off the podium for much of that time.
Following this injury, Marquez struggled with form and fitness, finishing seventh in 2021, 13th in 2022, and 14th in 2023. Additional hardships included lingering injuries, continued surgeries, and issues adapting to the Honda bike, which contributed to his decision to leave Honda a year earlier than planned.
New Team, New Life: The Ducati Resurgence
Marquez’s comeback gained momentum in 2024 when he joined the Ducati satellite team Gresini. The switch to Ducati marked a turning point, enabling him to return to competitive form with a third-place finish in the 2024 standings. This success earned him a coveted factory Ducati contract for the current season, where his dominance has been clear.
Dominating the 2025 season, Marquez has won 10 of the first 17 rounds, including an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories from the Italian Grand Prix to the Hungarian Grand Prix. This run was halted at the Catalan Grand Prix, his home race, by his brother Alex Marquez riding a No. 73 Ducati. Marc finished second in that race, one step behind his sibling, before reclaiming the lead to secure the championship weeks later.
Marquez’s Latest Podium and the Rising Competition
At the Japanese Grand Prix, Marquez shared the podium with Joan Mir, the COVID-season champion who benefited from Marquez’s misfortunes beginning in 2020. Mir’s podium finish marked his first appearance on the top three since 2022, signaling a resurgence in the competitive landscape alongside Marquez’s own return to form.
Legacy and What Lies Ahead
Marc Marquez’s achievement in winning his seventh championship after nearly six years away from the top spot is a testament to his resilience and relentless drive. Coming back after a devastating injury, multiple surgeries, and a change of teams demonstrates both his skill and determination to keep pushing the boundaries of MotoGP competition. As he closes in on Agostini’s record, the racing world is witnessing the unfolding of what may be one of the sport’s greatest legacies.
