Let's talk MotoGP: Marc Marquez kept his promise (and good for him)

It might not seem like it, but Marc Marquez had a fantastic weekend at Mugello in MotoGP. On a track that has historically been difficult for him – even though he won there twice in 2025 – he kept his word, meaning he didn't push himself to the point of crashing. And that was no small feat.

 

Marquez's dilemma in MotoGP

 

Before the Grand Prix, I wondered if he would actually keep his word.Previously, and especially during the 2023 season, he tried to compensate for his physical difficulties with an over-the-top attack. Given that he was riding an already outdated Honda, it hurt, it hurt a lot. This time, he promised to take it slowly and not take any unnecessary risks. I had trouble believing it, because he had already pulled the same stunt on us at the end of 2022.As a result, it only continued to push forward until its downfall in 2023.

 

 

And yet, he held on. Marquez held back, rode intelligently. He committed to the handlebars, certainly, but it seems he still had some reserves. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when he executed an utterly terrifying braking maneuver at San Donato at the start of the Sprint. because I thought he was falling back into his old habitsBut, in hindsight, it was just magnificent; it wasn't even a disaster.

He still seemed diminished, or at least that he was holding back. This was particularly noticeable in the Grand Prix, where he battled with Pedro Acosta. If you look at Marquez's history in MotoGPBattles with him don't last long. Either he gets overtaken, or he overtakes and widens the gap. As far as I can remember, I don't recall a three- or four-minute battle involving Marc Marquez (maybe in 2019 at Misano, the race would need to be reviewed). The fact that it dragged on for so long speaks volumes..

This resulted in a fifth place in the Sprint, and a seventh on Sunday. Not too bad, even though, thanks to the heroic performances of the three highest-placed riders in the overall standings (Bezzecchi, Martin, and Di Giannantonio), Marquez lost a lot of ground. He is now eighth overall. 102 points behind the leaderDo you know what that means? That the official Ducati rider is forced to make the greatest comeback of all time if he aims for the title. the record being 92 points, taken from Fabio Quartararo by Pecco Bagnaia in 2022 – at a time when there were no Sprints.

 

Will this continue?

 

He honored his commitment for two races, and that's already very good. Given that he has nothing left to prove, I'd almost like him to conserve his energy for the entire season, so he can come back even stronger in 2027. After all, he should still be competitive, and on new bikes, his exceptional adaptability can make all the difference..

 

 

The problem is this: Will he keep his promise for much longer? At Mugello, he made it clear that he didn't like this approach at all, that he wasn't enjoying himself on the bike. Deliberately limiting himself to finish seventh isn't exactly inspiring, of course, but you have to "trust the process," as the Americans say.

Seeing him like this, I get the impression that he's going to lose it as soon as he gets back to his old self in Hungary, on a circuit where he was very comfortable last year. It's more of a trap than an opportunity.However, he himself admitted: he cannot afford to make a mistake, so be careful.

Personally, I think he'll hold back for a few more weeks, and that, like in 2023, his champion's instinct will take over. That's Marc Marquez, that's just how he is, and that's how he won nine world titles. If his health holds up, all the better.I just hope the official Ducati rider will remain measured, because I really want to see him in action on the 850cc.

Do you think Marc Marquez will continue like this for long, or will he return to his principles in the next race? Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport