Let's Talk MotoGP: There's a problem with Alex Marquez and no one is talking about it

Alex Marquez is having a fantastic start to the season, something no one could have predicted. Indeed, the Gresini rider is riding more or less like a world champion; far better than Pecco Bagnaia and everyone else except his brother Marc. If it weren't for his brother, he'd be comfortably leading the championship. And yet, something is wrong.

 

Unbelievable, but…

 

So that you don't accuse me of minimizing his exploits, I will repeat myself: Alex Marquez is just exceptional in this first half of the season. I think what he's doing is underrated, because it's a true example of consistency. From memory, in recent history, I don't think I've ever seen such a start from a driver, whether a favorite or an outsider. But precisely, My problem with little brother Marquez is his status.

 

 

Unfortunately, I think if it ends like this, we won't remember his 2025 season. Alex Marquez is so strong that he's moved away from being an outsider, a surprise contender, basically. He's in front every weekend, so he's now a favorite, just like Marc or Pecco. Favorites are supposed to win, at least occasionally, and to pull off memorable victories. And Alex Marquez, by accumulating these second places, trivializes the exceptionalYes, he won at Jerez, it's true, but his big brother wasn't there to challenge him for victory.

To fully understand this, a comparison is in order. I've repeatedly stated that Enea Bastianini's 2022 season was arguably the best ever by an outsider in the 2013st century. We could also talk about Cal Crutchlow's 2023 season, or throw Marco Bezzecchi's XNUMX into the mix. I am convinced that the three above-mentioned were weaker than Alex Marquez this season., and yet, they will remain more in the memory. The difference is made on brilliant moments, moments of extreme brilliance, victories acquired thanks to rare mastery. So, of course, Alex Marquez won some too; he is too good not to take any. But nothing to do with the triumphs of Bezzecchi in India, or Bastianini in Aragon, in the battle with the future world champion Pecco Bagnaia.

 

Does Alex Marquez have the right mentality?

 

We're almost halfway through the season, and I still don't understand Alex Marquez's goal. Once the lights go out, he's a giant, and reminds me a bit of Andrea Dovizioso facing Marc Marquez. But when asked about his desire to aim for the title, he answers a bit off-topic, saying he's happy with his current position. It's as if he doesn't want to believe in his own chances even though he has the talent to think about them. After the Italian Grand Prix, he made a statement that struck me: "Being at the level of Marc Marquez, who I consider one of the best in history, is more gratifying than being the championship leader.". That's not what someone aiming higher would have said.

 

 

Finally, we come to the subject of Marc Marquez. The fact that his brother is always in front doesn't help Alex, because It's as if he's satisfied with these repeated second places.Give any favorite from the last twenty years thirteen second places in nine races and they'll surely lose their minds from constant losing. Alex, in parc fermé, is always sporty, famous, celebrating with his brother. If it were Bagnaia instead of the eight-time world champion, I'm willing to bet several things: first, that he wouldn't act like that on the track, because Alex is much gentler with Marc than with any other man. As a reminder, little brother Marquez has clashed with more or less every driver MotoGP since his arrival in the premier class at the beginning of 2020, but Marc constantly escapes his heightened aggression. Secondly, that he would not have the same approach at all when it came to expressing his title chances.

Given his performances, I would find it a shame if he were to settle for these repeated second places. I would like him to try harder, even if it means pushing himself to the limit. If he continues like this until the end of the year, he will finish second overall – it's almost a done deal – without ever having made the world champion tremble. Yes, Marc Marquez is very strong this season, but it is not impregnable everywhere ; I would love to see Alex show that he really wants to beat him.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Since the beginning of the year, I've never seen the killer instinct that Alex Marquez displayed in the smaller categories or in 2020, at Honda Repsol. I'd like Alex to push his brother around, to make him doubt himself, because I believe he's quite capable of it. So, in ten years, we could remember this season when the little brother got tired of being beaten by the big one.He deserves to be remembered.

What do you think of this thorny question? Tell us in the comments!

Alex Marquez is great this season, but he's in a strange in-between position. He trivializes the exceptional, and that's a problem.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport