Márquez's Comeback is Complete

Following an arduous six-year-long journey, Marc Márquez is now a seven-time premier-class champion, completing one of motor sport's greatest comeback stories yet

- Report: Gaurav Davare

IT HAS BEEN A LONG JOURNEY back to the top for the six-time premier class champion, Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), ever since his crash at Jerez in 2020 that nearly put an end to his MotoGP career.

Multiple surgeries, uncompetitive machinery that led to him leaving the factory Honda squad, and, now, he has had a dream run in 2025. It was only fitting that Motegi, the very venue where he announced his exit from Honda back in 2023, would be the place where he would be crowned a MotoGP champion for the seventh time.

It wasn’t all straightforward, though, as his teammate and two-time champion, Francesco Bagnaia, who has been struggling for form in recent races, scored a surprise pole position. The bigger surprise was Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) qualifying second on Honda’s home turf, with Marc Márquez in third position. The title rival, Alex Márquez (Gresini Racing), had to settle for eighth position on the grid.

Sprint

BAGNAIA'S POLE POSITION WAS NO fluke as he got off the line well and did not look back from there, riding to a comfortable victory. The action was all behind him as the factory Aprilia duo of Marco Bezzecchi and reigning champion Jorge Martin crashed out at Turn One, with the latter injuring himself once more; now he looks set to sit out more races this season. Marc Márquez, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and Joan Mir were all locked in a close battle for second. Ultimately, it was Marc who came out on top, with Acosta finishing in third position.

Race

IN WHAT WAS ALMOST A CARBON-copy manner compared to the Sprint, Bagnaia once again had the start he needed and began to stretch out an early lead, similar to what he used to do in 2024. Acosta made his way up to second with Márquez holding on to third at the end of the opening lap. While Mir dropped to sixth early on, he made his way up to fourth position rather quickly.