Several riders from different manufacturers have stood out as MotoGP’s over-achievers during the summer break. While Alex Marquez ranks second in his personal best MotoGP standings, several other riders have also exceeded expectations this season.
Marc Marquez’s dominance in 2025 somewhat overshadowed these underdog stories, yet multiple racers have surprisingly outperformed critics’ early predictions. Crash.NET experts each highlight one standout rider who has notably exceeded expectations.
Lewis Duncan points to Fermin Aldeguer, who secured a Ducati contract before his final Moto2 season. Despite a tough second year, Aldeguer showed promise with strong performances starting from the Qatar Grand Prix, achieving several top-five finishes and podiums, maintaining a top-10 spot and a 46-point gap behind Moto2 World Champion Ai Ogura.
Peter McLaren emphasizes Alex Marquez, who made a significant leap with 17 podiums in 24 races, including a maiden MotoGP win at Geres. Marquez’s performance has been the closest challenge to his brother Marc this season, and maintaining second place in the World Championship would be a remarkable feat for a satellite rider on a year-old bike.
Alex Whitworth agrees that Alex Marquez is a clear choice but also highlights Raul Fernandez. Although Fernandez had a rough start compared to rookie teammate Ai Ogura, he has improved considerably since the Aragon Test, becoming a consistent top-six contender.
Derry Munikartono celebrates Marco Betzekki from Aprilia, who was thrust into a leadership role earlier than expected due to teammate Jorge Martin’s injuries. Betzekki became Aprilia’s core rider, successfully leading bike development and scoring a breakthrough victory at Silverstone, along with multiple podium finishes despite his limited experience.
Jordan Moreland also points to Alex Marquez’s notable improvement from 2024 to 2025, praising his consistent performance and his ability to challenge top competitors regularly, which was unexpected before the season began.
Fan Take: This roundup highlights the rising talents and surprise performers reshaping the MotoGP landscape beyond the usual stars. For racing fans, it signals an exciting era where new challengers push boundaries and bring fresh competition, potentially making the sport even more thrilling and unpredictable.
