MotoGP, Sportrik Media – Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing reveals he can now race "more freely" at the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix, embracing greater risks after securing runner-up in the 2025 standings. This milestone culminated in a dominant victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, sealing a historic 1-2 finish for the Marquez brothers and elevating his season tally to three wins. As a result, with primary objectives achieved, Marquez views the final two rounds as strategic groundwork for 2026, shifting emphasis from championship battles to long-term performance refinement in the competitive MotoGP landscape.
Alex Marquez's 2025 campaign with Gresini Racing exemplifies resilience, particularly following his transition from Honda to the more potent satellite Ducati setup. At 29, the younger Marquez brother has carved a runner-up position in the standings, a rare feat for a satellite rider amid MotoGP's intense rivalry. His Sepang triumph not only marked the family's first 1-2 since 2020 but also showcased flawless adaptation to the Desmosedici GP, excelling in tire management and overtaking maneuvers under high temperatures. Moreover, this success highlights Gresini Racing's maturation in leveraging telemetry data to mitigate Ducati's aerodynamic shortcomings on Asian circuits. Consequently, this newfound liberty allows Marquez to experiment boldly, unburdened by points pressure that often constrains satellite competitors in high-stakes scenarios.
During Thursday's press conference at Portimao, Marquez articulated this mindset shift with a blend of levity and strategy. "Less pressure, because nobody said to me I’m the favourite one! Jokes aside, I’m looking forward to starting the weekend," he quipped, before underscoring the universal rider desire to conclude seasons positively. "After being runner-up in ’25, I can ride again a little bit more freely on the bike, making things in a better way.
So, I will try my best." Such comments reflect a delicate equilibrium between relaxation and drive, enabling aggressive setups without jeopardizing invaluable late-season data. Portimao, with its steep elevation changes and high-speed corners, serves as an ideal proving ground for this approach a track demanding deep bike rapport, akin to Marquez's strengths in Malaysia. A closer examination reveals how this Portuguese venue could function as a 2026 laboratory, where end-of-season insights inform Ducati's regulatory adaptations, including enhanced fuel efficiency protocols.
Though Marquez jested about "winning two more races," his core priorities center on error-free solidity while savoring the weekend. "We can take some risks because we’re not playing for anything in the championship. So, what we need to do is enjoy the weekend and give our maximum," he noted, illustrating how this freedom might yield critical insights for team evolution. In broader context, his runner-up achievement transcends personal glory, acting as a catalyst for Ducati to bolster its satellite ranks, positioning Marquez as a pivotal asset in nurturing next-generation Desmosedici development.
Compared to his 2024 Ducati debut, marked by consistency struggles, he now enters a regenerative phase fortified by three victories that exceeded initial projections, solidifying his stature among elite MotoGP talents.
In essence, Alex Marquez's pressure-free stance at Portugal signals a seamless pivot from 2025's trials to 2026's foundations, where calculated risks could unlock fresh Ducati innovations via Gresini Racing. This optimistic trajectory, propelled by an unforeseen runner-up finish, holds promise for additional podiums to cap the season in Valencia, reinforcing his role as a Ducati cornerstone. Sportrik Media will track these MotoGP developments closely for dedicated followers.
For the latest updates, visit Sportrik.com.
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