Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez ranks Sunday’s long-awaited and emotional first MotoGP win as highly as his Moto2 and Moto3 world championships.
After five full seasons in MotoGP, the Spaniard finally took glory during his home race at Jerez. His first victory follows a collection of second place finishes to his brother Marc Marquez already this season, and came at the track that he would have chosen above any other.
“If you had asked me where I would want to win my first MotoGP race, I would say Jerez for sure,” said the Gresini Ducati rider.
“I won my first Moto2 race here as well, and it was already special. But winning MotoGP [here] is like another level. I mean, I was there at Turn 9 and Turn 10 [the stadium section] after the chequered flag… you know, it was amazing.
“We have the best spectators in the world, and the most respectful. Yeah, it was an amazing race for me.”
Asked how the win compared to other career highlights, which include his Moto3 and Moto2 world titles in 2014 and 2019 respectively, Marquez was unequivocal.
“[This is on the] same level as my two titles. Today was on that level.”
The victory means he now leads the 2025 MotoGP title race for the second time. Alex leaves Jerez just one point clear of his dominant brother Marc, who until today had only been beaten in one race so far this season.
While Alex had to pass Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo to take his breakthrough win, his job was made easier by Marc falling ahead of him on lap three. Alex admitted that Marc – with whom he has an excellent relationship and regularly trains – featured heavily in his emotions on the victory lap.
“When I was through the last corner, I was like a mix of emotions. I was happy, I was emotional. It was super nice.
“It has been tough [at times in recent years]. [But] when you…have the right people behind you and on your side… I was thinking about those people a lot. My grandfather, all my family and especially Marc.
“He’s the guy who is with me every day. He’s supporting me the most. He gives me the most advice.”
Despite reclaiming the lead of the championship, Alex is celebrating this victory and nothing more. Marc, who has a newer factory Ducati likely to make more gains over the season than Alex’s independent GP24, remains the overwhelming favourite for the title. Alex seemed entirely aware of this and offered a simple “no” when asked if there was any revision to his Saturday claim that he was not thinking about the championship.
The gap between the two Ducatis may begin to widen as early as Monday, when the MotoGP teams will return to the Jerez track for an official test. While Alex admitted that there would not be a lot of updates for him to try, Marc’s factory squad is expected to roll out its first serious round of developments on the GP25.
