Given their strong family bond, one might easily interpret Marc Marquez’s statement about his younger brother Alex being his primary contender for the 2025 MotoGP championship as an act of sibling kindness.
However, considering that they have secured 1-2 positions in qualifying at both grand prix events so far and finished 1-2 in each of the four races held to date, alongside Alex’s impressive pre-season testing, shouldn’t we take the notion of a Marquez vs. Marquez championship battle more seriously?
Here are our thoughts on the matter…
Enjoy this While It Lasts, Alex
Simon Patterson
It seems prudent for us (and Alex Marquez) to relish this exceptional start, but let’s face it: this year, unless you’re on a red bike, the chances of anyone contending for the title are slim, especially for a rider who has previously demonstrated that while he can be incredibly fast, consistency may not be his strong suit.
Of course, this doesn’t take away from Alex’s speed. His journey to becoming the Moto2 champion in 2019 was characterized by a remarkable early-season performance (while KTM struggled), only to later finish with a narrow points lead over Brad Binder.
Additionally, Alex is currently riding the best bike on the grid. At this moment, the GP25 is facing challenges (even though it’s not quite the 2024 model), and Marc is still emerging victorious.
Nonetheless, the factory’s issues won’t last indefinitely, and in the best-case scenario, Alex might find himself competing for third place behind his brother Marc and Pecco Bagnaia.
I’ve Underestimated Alex
Megan White
I admit, I predicted Alex Marquez would finish fifth in my pre-season standings. With two rounds now complete, that assessment appears overly harsh.
Several aspects were challenging to forecast prior to the season, including KTM’s rough beginning and Jorge Martin’s unfortunate training accident. Perhaps the signs of Alex’s success were already evident—Marc acknowledged that Alex was the biggest surprise of the testing phase.
Even Marc might not have anticipated his brother finishing second in the standings, only 16 points behind him, after securing second place in both sprints and grand prix races thus far.
This Satellite Rider Can’t Win a Title
Val Khorounzhiy
Personally, I just don’t buy it. At least not yet.
Although Alex finds himself in a solid position, the factory riders don’t seem to be utilizing any major upgrades compared to the older Ducati Desmosedici GP24.
He’s a satellite team rider and has consistently demonstrated a wide variation in performance throughout his MotoGP career. We need a larger sample size, but unless he’s suddenly become a different rider, I can’t see how he would outpace Marc and Bagnaia over a full season, especially in his first year on a leading bike.
He’s a Contender but Has One More Thing to Prove
Oliver Card
Before this season commenced, my prediction that Alex Marquez would be a dark horse felt somewhat playful, and now I’m surprised at how vigorously he has started his 2025 campaign. His performance in pre-season testing indicated a stable foundation, but the GP24’s superiority has seemingly enhanced his consistency.
While it’s still early in a lengthy season, with two races and two sprints completed, he appears to be maximizing his machine’s potential. His riding this year seems cleaner compared to his previously more erratic style.
To truly be seen as a title contender, Alex must showcase a wider range of performances. While he’s been successful in qualifying and maintaining position up front, true contenders find themselves battling through challenging situations. So far, he’s avoided the fray, but as others unlock their potential, he may find himself under greater pressure.
You Can’t Ignore These Results
Matt Beer
I’ve been hearing my colleagues discuss Alex Marquez’s inconsistency. However, qualifying or finishing second every time thus far across four races, along with being fastest in two of three pre-season tests and second in the other, shows consistent top-two performance across multiple circuits.
There’s nothing inconsistent about Alex Marquez in 2025.
It’s plausible that a now quite seasoned rider is less prone to mistakes when piloting a reliable, competitive bike in a year where many rivals are sidelined, especially when compared to prior seasons with less competitive machinery.
The question isn’t whether Alex is a title contender, but rather if he can outpace Marc for the championship. Spoilers: he likely can’t unless Marc makes an uncharacteristic error.
Nevertheless, is Alex the closest rival Marc has for the title in 2025? He very well might be.
