Marc Marquez is back at Misano, and the stakes could hardly be higher. With the 2025 MotoGP World Championship almost within his grasp, Marquez’s return to the San Marino Grand Prix is more than a homecoming — it’s a potential coronation, though not quite yet. The Rimini circuit, a mere 20 minutes from Valentino Rossi’s legendary hometown of Tavullia, is thick with history and emotion, especially for Italian fans. But Marquez, the undisputed leader of this year’s championship, isn’t letting the pressure — or the past — slow him down.
Last season, Marquez claimed a stunning victory at Misano aboard the Gresini GP23, only to be greeted by a chorus of boos from the passionate crowd. This year, he returns not only as the favorite to win the race, but also as the man on the brink of his ninth world title. The air is charged with anticipation and a touch of rivalry, as the Spanish star prepares to equal Valentino Rossi’s tally of seven premier-class titles — a milestone that, if reached at Misano, would surely sting for Rossi’s faithful supporters.
But fate, and his brother Alex Marquez, had other plans. Heading into the San Marino GP, Marc needed to outscore Alex by ten points in the previous race at Barcelona to set up a title-clinching opportunity at Misano. Marc looked poised to do just that after capitalizing on Alex’s crash in the Sprint and taking the win. Yet, Alex bounced back in Sunday’s main event, snapping Marc’s winning streak and closing the points gap. In the end, Marc’s net advantage was trimmed to seven, not enough to secure the coveted match point. Now, the title chase shifts to Motegi, Japan, at the end of the month.
Rumors swirled in the paddock and on social media that Marquez might have deliberately held back in Barcelona to avoid the awkwardness of sealing the title on Rossi’s home turf. The suggestion? That he didn’t want to risk another hostile reception from the Italian fans, who have never quite forgiven him for past on-track dramas with The Doctor. Marquez dismissed the speculation with characteristic bluntness. “To those who think I didn’t win at Montmelo so I wouldn’t wrap up the title at Misano, screw them,” he told reporters, including those from Motorsport Espana, on Thursday. “I tried to get the match point, but I couldn’t because there was a faster rider on Sunday. I want to close it out as soon as possible, because that will mean we’re still on the same path. These races are already preparation for 2026.”
Marquez’s team, well aware of the potential for another frosty reception, have been bracing themselves. Last year’s boos at Misano, coupled with similar scenes at Mugello earlier this season, have made the Ducati camp cautious. Ducati test rider Michele Pirro even took to social media ahead of the weekend, urging fans to be respectful regardless of the outcome. But Marquez, unfazed, insists he’s focused on performance, not popularity. “As a Ducati rider, for them it’s their home GP, we have a lot of commitments, almost more than in Barcelona. But we are ready to enjoy a good weekend of motorcycling and with a good atmosphere. There will be boos but also applause, we will try to give 100 percent on the track because that is what is important.”
Despite the tension, Marquez remains laser-focused on the championship. Heading into the San Marino GP, there are 259 points still up for grabs in the season, and Marquez holds a commanding 182-point lead. By the time the checkered flag falls in Japan on September 28, only 185 points will remain in play. That means Marquez needs to increase his lead by just three points over the next two Grands Prix to clinch the title. For a rider who has made dominance look almost routine this year, it’s more a matter of when than if.
Yet, Marquez isn’t taking anything for granted. He knows that consistency is key and that a single mistake could delay his celebrations. “Well I tried, I tried to get it here, I said it I don’t care where or when I win it, but I continue with the same mentality as always. In Barcelona there was a faster rider than us, although he scored more points over the weekend in the end it was not enough. So now we talk about Japan but it’s not a given because it means that in these two races Alex would score few points. So it will be important to keep the same mentality and try to always aim for the podium. I will try to avoid making stupid mistakes, you can crash like Alex crashed in the sprint, it has happened before and it will happen again, the important thing will be to try not to do it in a stupid way because these last races are the base on which the construction of 2026 rests.”
His strategic approach has been simple but effective: aim for the podium, avoid unnecessary risks, and rack up points. That consistency has been the backbone of his 2025 campaign, especially with little real competition outside of his brother Alex. Even MotoGP legend Jorge Lorenzo has weighed in, suggesting that the Marquez brothers are on track to surpass the famous Schumacher brothers of Formula 1 with their likely one-two finish in the standings.
Marquez’s dominance this season has been all the more remarkable given his recent history. After battling injuries and even contemplating retirement, the Spaniard has staged a remarkable comeback. He’s quick to point out the importance of managing not just speed, but also pressure, people, and the rhythm of race weekends. “For me it’s the management of everything, the moments, the pressure, the people around you, the team, the weekend. You can be a fast rider but if you care more about the money than the bike then you won’t win. You can be a fast rider but if you care more about the party than the work, you won’t make it. You can be a fast rider with a lot of talent, but if the pressure affects you more, you won’t win. So it’s the management of everything that makes the difference in a champion; there are many fast riders.”
He’s also shown empathy for his fellow Ducati rider Pecco Bagnaia, who’s struggled this season. “Obviously I am not the best person to give him advice, Pecco has his team and his experienced people around him. But I also want the best for Ducati and we need to see both riders able to fight at the top because it will also help with development. Then it’s clear that I want to beat everyone, whether it’s my teammate, my brother or anyone else but I don’t want to see someone suffer like Pecco is doing right now. It’s not easy for a rider to have a situation like that, and it’s hard to forget because you’re always in the media spotlight. But it’s something we have to accept, it’s the first time it’s happened to him in his career but he has all the talent to get out of it.”
Looking ahead, Marquez is already thinking about 2026, both in terms of his own preparation and the development of the Ducati bike. “These races are already preparation for 2026,” he emphasized, signaling his commitment to staying at the top of the sport. As for the immediate future, he expects a tough fight at Misano, with KTM riders like Acosta and Bastianini showing strong form in recent races. But for now, all eyes are on Marquez as he stands on the verge of history, ready to take the next step — whenever and wherever that may be.
With the championship still in play and the pressure mounting, the Misano paddock is crackling with anticipation. Marquez’s pursuit of a ninth world crown remains the story of the season, and fans around the globe are eagerly awaiting the next chapter. For now, the action continues, and the outcome is still to be decided.
