Marc Márquez puts fear into Valentino Rossi
The Cervera rider is among the favourites to win his seventh MotoGP title and equal the legend of Il Dottore
BarcelonaThe MotoGP season kicks off this weekend with the general belief that the title is a two-man race. Specifically, the official Ducati riders, Marc Márquez and Pecco Bagnaia. They have the best bike and have had a good pre-season. Márquez, who is aiming for his seventh premier class title, said in Thailand, where the first Grand Prix of the season is being held, that he had "butterflies in his stomach". A feeling he hadn't felt for many years. Five, at least, since he was seriously injured in 2020 at the Jerez circuit.
"This year I'm in the ideal place with the right bike to fight for the championship. That's what I think, at least. I'll give it my all," said Márquez, with his morale sky-high. The relationship with Honda ended like the rosary of dawn and in 2024 he found refuge in the Gresini team, where he rode a Ducati for the first time. It wasn't the latest model, but it was enough to finish third in the championship, win three Sunday races, a sprint and a ten-time podium finish. The Ducati Lenovo team did not hesitate to hire him for 2025, even though this meant that Jorge Martín, who would end up being champion last season, would have to look for another team.
Márquez has a date with history because he can equal Valentino Rossi, the best rider in number of titles in the modern era. Il Dottore has nine crowns, seven in the premier class, one at 250 (current Moto2) and one at 125 (current Moto3). The Catalan rider has the 125, the Moto2 and six titles in MotoGP. The rivalry between the two is latent, especially since in 2015 they were involved in several incidents, including a kick from Rossi to Márquez that ended with the Cerverí on the ground. That year Rossi was aiming for the eighth title but between the quarrels and a sanction, the crown went to Jorge Lorenzo. Rossi has never forgiven him.
Pecco Bagnaia, the other big favourite to be world champion
In fact, Rossi was one of the most critical of Márquez's signing for the official Ducati team. In the paddock there is a certain consensus in saying that the Italian is nervous because he sees the wolf's ears. Márquez's teammate, Bagnaia, was precisely one of Il Dottore's disciples in the lower categories of the World Championship. Now he is flying solo, winning the 2022 and 2023 titles and had options last year until the last race. "I have a lot to learn from him. He will be one of the rivals to beat, he has had four very good years and the last ones have been impressive," said Márquez, who celebrated having adapted so quickly to the new team.
The third name to keep in mind is Jorge Martín, but the reigning champion will not be able to be in Thailand. Aprilia's new team leader missed a good part of the preseason due to a fractured hand in the first Sepang tests. He had recovered in time to start the competition, but this week he suffered a new fall and fractured his other hand. Hopefully he will be in Argentina in a fortnight, although not 100% and conditioned by a preseason in which he has not been able to accumulate many kilometers. Marco Bezzecchi, Pedro Acosta and Fabio Quartararo, official riders for Aprilia, KTM and Yamaha, respectively, are other names to keep in mind, as well as that of Álex Márquez, who despite riding a satellite Ducati has had sufficiently competitive times to imagine him winning a race. On the other hand, we will have to wait to see Joan Mir fighting for the podium. The 2020 champion is on the official Honda team, a brand that has spent more than 100 years in the world. from dominating everything to being the worst bike on the grid. The Japanese team is on the rise, but still far from the best.
Good debut for Marc Márquez in training in Thailand
The performance in Buriram confirmed Marc Márquez's good predictions. He dominated the first free practice sessions comfortably. He also dominated the afternoon session, which gave him access to Q2, despite his brother Àlex having to take the fastest lap at the last minute. Bagnaia was not so lucky, because a rider got in his way when he was trying to set a good time and on Saturday he will have to go through Q1 first. Whatever the case, everyone assumes that the Italian will be at the top of the grid and will fight for the podium. For motorcycling fans, the expectations for this season are unbeatable.
