Alex Marquez Secures Third Podium at MotoGP San Marino 2025

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Alex Marquez completed his podium finish at the MotoGP San Marino 2025 at Misano Circuit, marking another strong result this season for Gresini Racing Ducati. Holding his podium position from the first to the last round, he lacked the pace to challenge the win battle between Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi. In a DAZN interview, Alex discussed the challenges, including the lost opportunity at the Dutch World Cup against Pedro Acosta.

Solid Performance Yet Lagging Behind the Leaders

Alex Marquez finished third after a competitive race, pushing to stay close to the frontrunners. “That’s it. We were a tenth or two seconds behind them throughout the weekend,” he lamented to DAZN. He reiterated this gap as a persistent issue from Friday, signaling the need for further improvements to compete with the dominant riders. Nevertheless, Marquez appreciated his Ducati's performance. “The bike here actually ran very well. Our package is very competitive, and we can give our best,” he stated, acknowledging slight misfortune compared to last year's satellite team bike.

Misano's first sector proved a key weakness. “But the fact that I lost T1 was actually my mistake. That sector has always been a challenge for me, and that's where we lose a tenth, a tenth, and half per lap,” he explained. His early start strategy, successful the previous day, faltered this time, causing initial difficulties. “I struggled a bit at the start,” he added, while noting his race pace remained quick.

Tire Challenges and Strategic Decisions

Mid-race, Marquez encountered front tire issues. “I had two or three scares at the front. Then, I almost crashed at Turn 13. The front tire started feeling heavy, the front tire felt quite hot,” he recounted. Seeing a four-second gap on the rear tire, he opted for a prudent strategy by letting the leaders pass. “That's when I said, 'Okay, I let them go.' I saw I was four seconds behind on the rear tire, so they had to hold on until the end and get on the podium, which is very important,” he said. This choice secured his podium without greater risks.

Reflections on Dutch Incident and Runner-Up Position

Marquez recalled the Dutch World Cup clash as a turning point. “We lost the opportunity at the World Cup in the Netherlands, against Acosta. I'm not saying it was Acosta's fault, don't misunderstand my words; it was a racing incident. But with that injury, the whole year became a bit complicated for me,” he told DAZN commentator Pol Espargaro. The injury affected his post-holiday recovery, making the season tougher. Yet, recent results like the Misano podium indicate a return to form.

With Francesco Bagnaia’s poor result, Marquez's runner-up spot feels secure, though he remains cautious of Bezzecchi. “Bezzecchi is currently the most dangerous for the runner-up position. Because he's performing well and in better form,” he clarified. He highlighted Bezzecchi's recent results as the primary threat, especially at tracks like Montmeló. “Both will be dangerous, so we'll stick to our strategy and try to maximize it,” he concluded.

Outlook for Japan and the Rest of the Season

Heading to Japan, Marquez stressed consistency. “We have to keep fighting, going through circuits like this where they struggle a bit more, like Japan and Indonesia. So we have to be very consistent there, make no mistakes, and give everything,” he said. He plans to enjoy the races and learn for next year, leveraging podium momentum to extend his championship lead. With Gresini support, his chances of holding runner-up are strong, provided he maintains competitive form in upcoming rounds.