Marc Marquez has recently seemed unstoppable in MotoGP, having won 10 consecutive races and leading the standings, making his ninth World Championship almost certain. However, as the second half of 2025 approaches, including some overseas races, his competitors are gearing up to challenge his dominance.
Experts from Crash.NET weigh in on who might be able to topple Marquez and where this could occur.
Peter McLaren points out that beating Marquez on a bike of the same make is difficult unless there’s a technical edge, like a different manufacturer better utilizing tires. In Brno, KTM’s Pedro A Costa and Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi were the closest contenders after Marquez. Bezzecchi, who has already won at Silverstone, continues to show consistent podium potential. McLaren highlights Barcelona (September 5-7), where Aprilia has traditionally performed well—Alex Espargaro having won there—and the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix (August 22-24), a new and unpredictable circuit that could offer surprises.
Lewis Duncan believes that if Marquez falters, his brother Alex Marquez or Pecco Bagnaia might seize the opportunity, referencing their chances at US and Spanish Grands Prix this year. However, at the Czech GP, only two Ducati riders were in the top 10, with Ducati’s general manager Gigi d’Al Dina cautioning about increased competition from other brands. This season, besides Ducati, Aprilia has been a strong contender in dry conditions, with Bezzecchi pushing Marquez hard in Assen and Czech GP. Aprilia is currently the second-best bike on the grid, and Duncan hopes teammate Jorge Martin returns to build on this momentum.
Derry Munikartono notes Marquez is competing in a league of his own, excelling even on tracks where he was previously weaker, like Lusail, Mugello, and Assen. Still, if there’s a vulnerability, riders like Francesco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez are positioned to exploit it; both have bested Marquez this year while riding the powerful Ducati. Munikartono stresses Marco Bezzecchi’s consistency in staying close to Marquez lately, citing his strong finishes at Assen, Sachsenring (Sprint), and Brno, although he has yet to win again since Silverstone. He suggests Mandalica might be the place where Marquez could finally be defeated given the circuit’s physical demands, low grip, and unpredictable nature—conditions that could test Marquez’s control.
Jordan Moreland predicts Alex Marquez might take the win in Barcelona this September, highlighting his impressive debut in GP24 and his affinity for the home circuit. Alex Whitworth looks at Austria, noting Marquez’s success there is closely tied to his machinery and riding style suited to the Red Bull Ring. Bagnaia has not been a strong performer at this track in the past. Whitworth also mentions Barcelona and Sepang as potential venues to challenge Marquez but admits that Marquez’s skill in tricky conditions makes him hard to beat anywhere.
In summary, a straight defeat of Marquez may be elusive this year, with the best chance lying in the unpredictability of the flyaway races, although Marquez’s talent makes even these no sure bet.
Fan Take: This discussion highlights the thrilling uncertainty building in MotoGP’s 2025 season as fans eagerly watch to see if anyone can finally unseat Marquez’s dominance. It underscores the rising competitiveness across manufacturers and riders, promising an electrifying battle that could redefine the sport’s landscape and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
