- Marquez clinched the 2025 World Championship title with five race weekends remaining
- Bezzecchi finished the season in third place overall
- 44 races took their toll on riders physically and mentally
The key themes of the 2025 MotoGP season included both the sporting development of Marco Bezzecchi and the extraordinary dominance of Marc Marquez. The Aprilia rider used the year to continuously improve and established himself as one of the main rivals to the Marquez brothers. Despite an injury to the world champion towards the end of the season, his impressive consistency remained the defining theme.
Bezzecchi’s season: consistency and late strength
The Italian developed an increasingly better feel for the RS GP over the course of the season. By the time he won at Silverstone, he was one of the most consistent podium contenders. His form was clearly on the up, which was reflected in his third place overall. Aprilia also benefited from this development and finished second in the manufacturers’ standings.
Bezzecchi would have liked to confirm his form in the final races in a direct battle with Marc Marquez. However, the world champion was injured at the Indonesian Grand Prix and had to miss the last races at Phillip Island, Sepang, Portimao, and Valencia.
Assessment of Marc Marquez’s extraordinary dominance
Bezzecchi spoke at length about why Marquez was able to perform so strongly in 2025. The statistics are clear: the Ducati rider won both the sprint and main races on ten race weekends. Even on difficult weekends, such as in Assen with two crashes on Friday, Marquez found ways to put himself in a strong starting position in qualifying and then win both races.
For Bezzecchi, the picture that emerges is of a rider who consistently finishes in the top three and remains competitive even in adverse circumstances. The combination of riding quality, mental strength, and working in the best team is crucial. At the same time, the Italian emphasized that it is not just the motorcycle equipment that is responsible. Rather, it is the interplay of many factors that made Marquez such a dominant rider in 2025. He shared these assessments in conversations that arose during an interview with Manuel Pecino.
Looking ahead: motivation, winter training, and rivalries
Bezzecchi showed understanding for Alex Marquez’s assessment that his brother’s high level of performance was an incentive to work harder in the winter. The Aprilia rider considers this approach understandable, but points out that physical and mental preparation, working with the team, and a flawless performance during the season are just as important.
When asked about personal motivation methods, Bezzecchi said that Sito Pons used to place a photo of his rival Toni Mang on his bedside table. For the Italian, however, this would be less useful, as his competition does not consist of just one rider. Hanging up a picture of the entire starting grid is therefore neither practical nor necessary for him, as he can motivate himself without such aids.
Marquez on 2026: Self-criticism, motorcycle development, and recovery
Marc Marquez has already set his sights on the coming season and spoke openly about the strengths and weaknesses of his machine. He emphasized that riders and teams often tend to focus on the competition and forget about the qualities of their own equipment. This self-critical view shapes his approach for 2026.
A key issue for him is the setup of the Desmosedici. He is hoping for improvements, especially at the front, in order to get a clearer feel for the front wheel. At the same time, he emphasized that changes must always be considered as part of the overall package. In his view, a balanced motorcycle that works on as many tracks as possible is crucial. The focus will be on the interaction between a stable front and a strong rear in order to remain competitive for the new season.
Marquez also provided an update on his physical condition. He believes his rehabilitation is progressing well, but he still wants to strictly adhere to the medical guidelines. It remains to be seen whether he will be back on the bike for the official test in Sepang. However, his goal is to return to the track as early as possible without jeopardizing his recovery. He is guided by medical examinations, which will determine the further course of action and ensure that the injury is completely healed.
Outlook
The statements from both riders show that the 2025 season was one of the most demanding in recent MotoGP history, both physically and mentally. While Bezzecchi has consolidated his position at the top of the field, Marquez is already looking ahead to the challenges ahead – both in terms of the competition and the further development of the bike.
