Let's talk MotoGP: Marc Marquez has just changed dimension

It's finally done! Marc Marquez is the World Champion MotoGP 2025! With five races still to go, the Spaniard went on to secure his ninth Grand Prix title in style, no less. I have a feeling this one could take him to another level, so let's address this question.

 

Marc Marquez managed… or did he?

 

On Friday evening, as on Saturday evening, Marc Marquez insisted on his objective in Motegi: win the title, period. However, his performance (two second places) does not really suggest this: he took some risks, made bold overtakes, when he did not even need to. This is where we realize the incredible lead he has over the others, including Pecco Bagnaia, the winner of the day. Moreover, the Italian was not fooled: he told the media that we would have to wait until the next round to find out whether or not he could compete with his teammate.

 

 

In any case, I really enjoyed his weekend, except for his forced overtake on Joan Mir. I always have a hard time when riders win their championship by managing the deciding round, or by not being up to scratch when the title is on the line. Immediately, the example of Danny Kent comes to mind, who, in 2015, in the Moto3 class, had a horrible performance to win the title against Miguel Oliveira in Valencia. Admittedly, that day, he had won the championship. But comparing the careers of Miguel Oliveira and Danny Kent should be enough to give you an idea of ​​where I'm going with this.

Marquez showed great discernment and didn't take any unnecessary risks, let's put it that way. Ultimately, this Japanese round was a reflection of his season: thoughtful, from start to finish, and This is the real difference between the 2025 Marquez and the one that was raging in 2022 and 2023..

 

 

An achievement not celebrated enough

 

Well, you know my grumpy personality by now, and, sorry in advance, but I'm not going to break my principles. I didn't like the title celebration. I was actually surprised to see so many people excited about this celebration.A rider makes one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport, takes a ninth world title at 32, equaling his nemesis Valentino Rossi, triumphs at the end of a season dominated from start to finish... and what do they give him? A simple tribute video of less than four minutes.

For a few years now, DORNA has been in charge of the title celebrations, with fairly standardized effects, and I deeply regret this. Some will tell me that Marquez is not a showman like Rossi or Lorenzo were, but still, he did a very good job in 2019 with the "8 ball" or in 2017 with the die that always landed on the number six. It was nice and memorable. Yet this time it's not as if there wasn't time to prepare it!

 

 

This may seem trivial to you, but believe me, celebrations are very important for the image of sport. This seems all the more incredible and disproportionate to me – in a bad way – because Liberty Media, an American company specializing in shows, is now in charge. Was there no better way to pay tribute to one of the greatest drivers in the history of sport? Couldn't we imagine a celebration that was a little warmer, and, why not, spectacular? Know that it's taken very seriously across the Atlantic. I'm thinking of the NBA and the NFL, which celebrate their champions like superheroes. Marquez, for his part, only received an advertising campaign "more than a number" to remind us that seven or nine made no difference, following last week's controversy.

I think it's a shame, because it's a missed opportunity. Liberty Media is holding onto its star, its legend, its main character to sell storylines and rivalries. And yet, the company did not capitalize on this opportunity..

 

Mark in the dimension of the largest

 

 

Let's get back to the title of this article. Indeed, in my opinion, this season allows Marc Marquez to move into a whole new dimension. Before, I had trouble imagining him as the greatest rider of all time. He doesn't lack talent or victories, no, but aura. You see, whether you like him or not—and I'll remind you that I've never been a fan—Rossi has changed the sport. My mother knows "Vale"My teachers knew him. Marquez, on the other hand, had not yet joined the list of athletes who have transcended the boundaries of their discipline. And this title, acquired in such conditions – after such suffering – could perfectly well make him join the Tyson, Senna, Federer, Woods, Brady, and so on. These are the "world athletes", those known to a majority of people with little interest in the sport in question. It may take a few more years, but if anything allows this transition, I think it will be this ninth title, proof of its extreme longevity – very important for marking fans of different generations – and its exceptional character. Don't worry: I will write other articles about its place in history, because I love it.

 

Conclusion

 

I wanted to end this paper by congratulating Marc Marquez, of course, who has just signed one of the most impressive seasons that I have seen since I have followed this sportIt was amazing, and we can only kneel before him, especially when we know the difficulties he had to overcome to return to the best level. It is deserved, just, and history rewards the good thief, in my opinion.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport