Marc Marquez is aiming to secure the 2025 MotoGP championship, a goal he believes would bring closure to years marked by injuries and difficult seasons with uncompetitive bikes. After suffering a severe crash at the start of the 2020 season in Jerez, Marquez underwent four surgeries and faced the possibility of early retirement, yet he remains determined to complete his remarkable MotoGP comeback.
Recovery Journey and Career Changes That Led to a Resurgence
The crash at Jerez, which came during the COVID-delayed season start, dramatically affected Marquez’s career trajectory. Forced into a lengthy recovery period, Marquez endured multiple surgeries that sidelined him for much of the past few years. Despite these setbacks and the temptation to quit, he chose to leave his lucrative Honda contract and join a satellite team in 2024. His performance there impressed Ducati, earning him a coveted factory seat for the current season.
His dedication and resilience have positioned him as the frontrunner for his ninth overall world title and seventh in MotoGP’s premier class heading into this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Reflecting on Lost Years and Gaining New Perspectives
Marquez acknowledges the toll his arm injury has taken on his career, believing he lost multiple competitive years while recovering. However, he also highlights the life lessons gained during this challenging period.
“These last five years have been super difficult, where some people – even me – thought that maybe I lost two or three years of my career as a rider because I was more at home than here with all of you at the circuits,”
Marquez said.
“But it’s true that in my personal life I learned a lot of things, and the personal life is much longer than a professional life. So I like this.
“I don’t like to repeat that experience, but I like that I learned many, many things. Right now, it’s my second life in MotoGP, and this will be important if we can close all that circle in the best way possible.
That looks like it will be [the case]. Still six races to go, but I want to keep the full focus.”
— Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
From Risk-Taker to Strategist: Adjusting Approach After Injury
Known early in his career for pushing limits and frequently crashing, Marquez now credits his injury hiatus with teaching him to better respect his physical boundaries and manage risk more effectively. His earlier reputation included competing despite pain, such as his attempt to race shortly after the Jerez accident.
“Minimise the risk, [risk] is not necessary in personal and professional life,”
Marquez explained.
“I’m a guy who likes to find adrenaline everywhere, but minimise that risk.
Of course, respect your body, this will be the target number one. I respect the injury, but then the second thing will be minimise the risk.”
— Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Adjustments in Title Recognition and Marquez’s Response
Dorna Sports, the MotoGP organizer, has begun emphasizing premier class titles over achievements in lower categories. This change means that if Marquez outperforms his brother Alex by three points at the Japanese Grand Prix, he will be officially recognized as a seven-time MotoGP champion rather than a nine-time world champion.
Marquez remains indifferent to the reclassification, focusing instead on his personal effort and legacy.
“It’s not in my hands. I always say, when I will retire someday, it doesn’t matter. Of course, the numbers matter a lot, but the most important [thing] is that the people remember me as I give everything on track.
“For example, the value of this championship inside of me is more than another one, but in the end, the number is the same one.
But with the atmosphere and all what happened, the career of a rider is different, so in the end, numbers are numbers. They are not in my hands, but the most important [thing] is to increase those numbers. It doesn’t matter how.”
— Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Looking Ahead: A Potential Historic Victory at the Japanese Grand Prix
With six races remaining this season, including a critical weekend in Japan, Marquez is focused on maintaining his form and concentration as he strives to complete what many consider the greatest comeback in MotoGP history. His journey from the trauma of injury to competing again at the highest level highlights both his talent and perseverance.
Securing the 2025 title would not only add another championship to his record but also symbolize overcoming adversity and redefining his career’s narrative in the face of uncertainty and pain. Fans, fellow racers like Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi, and his brother Alex Marquez watch closely as Marquez closes in on this milestone.
