This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix sees MotoGP title chief Marc Marquez return to the Jerez observe the place his profession was thrown into jeopardy in 2020 – the street again from which was so gruelling, he “wouldn’t want it on anybody”.
To this point in his debut season with the manufacturing facility Ducati crew, Marquez has taken seven wins from the opening eight rounds of 2025 and sits 17 factors away from youthful brother Alex Marquez within the standings.
It’s a return to kind many thought may by no means come, following 4 years of harm setbacks – following the preliminary arm break at Jerez – and career-defining choices, together with the top of his lengthy partnership with Honda.
“From 2020 to 2024 have been the hardest years of my profession and in addition my life to this point,” stated Marquez, talking forward of his house Spanish spherical.
“However above all, they have been years when the phrase ‘restlessness’ was continually on my thoughts.
“It will’ve been straightforward to surrender, to give up – and that’s precisely what pushed me ahead. I all the time tried to remain real looking, going purpose by purpose. You possibly can’t attain the highest of the mountain with out overcoming each step alongside the way in which.
“That’s the place a brand new section started, as a result of it helped me to see one other aspect of the game, to be taught quite a bit, and mature another way. Besides, I wouldn’t want it on anybody.”
The Spaniard’s determination to depart Honda – the place he gained six MotoGP titles – and change to Gresini was a leap few riders of his stature have made. He admits it was of venture, pushed by a willpower to not let his profession fade out.
“If you resolve to depart the crew of your life [Repsol Honda] and be part of Gresini, you’re taking a threat,” he defined. “You have got one of the best bike, so now it’s about discovering out what you’ll be able to obtain – and also you’re doing it in entrance of tens of millions of individuals, plenty of cameras, and tons of outdoor commentary.
“However I feel the core of that call was braveness. It’s about accepting the problem and never being afraid of what may occur. If it goes properly, it’s nice. But when it had gone badly, it’s okay too as I gave it a attempt. Nevertheless, for those who don’t attempt, that’s once you lose sleep.”
Marc Marquez
“That stressed drive can blind you”
Marquez’s Honda to Gresini guess paid off handsomely with three Grand Prix wins, third on this planet championship and a seat on the coveted manufacturing facility Ducati crew for 2025.
However the interior restlessness is a double-edged sword and Marquez admits he’s typically too demanding, on and off the observe.
“In each actual life and private life, I’ve all the time tried to be as real looking as potential,” he stated.
“When one thing is black, irrespective of how a lot you wish to see it as white, it’s nonetheless black. That’s when, if you wish to see it white, you should begin altering it little by little.
“Usually – and this yr is an efficient instance – after one thing just like the crash in Austin, you spend three days overthinking why it occurred and the right way to enhance.
“Possibly I’m too demanding typically. However in my private life, I additionally attempt for perfection. Not whole management – as a result of that’s no method to reside – however once I concentrate on one thing, I wish to do it completely.
“And I additionally attempt to take heed to these round me, as a result of that stressed drive can blind you a bit, and that’s not good both.
“You have to continually assess what must be accomplished.”
At 32, Marquez has already been by means of a profession arc that may have damaged many riders.
This weekend, in entrance of a house crowd at Jerez, he has the possibility to not solely lengthen his title lead however ship Spain’s two hundredth premier-class win and put Ducati equal with Honda’s all-time report of twenty-two consecutive victories.
“This yr, we’re arriving in a very totally different state of affairs – we’ve began being robust, with confidence and good outcomes,” Marquez stated.
“That doesn’t imply successful in any respect prices – the purpose for the weekend is to complete within the high three. I’m already wanting ahead to really feel the heat of the Spanish followers.”
