Following a challenging conclusion to the first half of the 2025 MotoGP season, Alex Marquez is clear about the areas he needs to improve to maintain his position among the top three riders. Despite his best half-season performance in the premier class, he currently sits second in the standings, even after failing to score points at Brno. That weekend was marked by a poor start, a disappointing qualifying sprint, and a crash with Joan Mir during the Grand Prix, which also resulted in a long lap penalty for the Gresini Racing riders at the Australian race.
Marquez considers himself fortunate that his worst race of 2025 coincided with either an upcoming race or the summer break. Speaking to Motogp.com before the Austrian Grand Prix, he mentioned that the break offers a chance to reset and analyze his performance. Instead of dwelling on the past, Marquez is focusing on the second half of the season, pinpointing areas where he needs to score more points and improve his skills. He emphasizes the importance of returning in good spirits and regaining a positive feeling on the bike, especially as the season resumes with back-to-back races in Austria and Hungary.
Discussing specific weaknesses, Marquez highlighted that at Brno, he realized he was less strong compared to Mark Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, particularly in braking and corner entry—areas where both his rivals excel. Although he hasn’t struggled much with these aspects this year, he acknowledges there is still progress to be made. Additionally, he pointed out the need to better manage his path when trying to overtake, as he sometimes pushes too hard and makes mistakes. These two factors—braking and overtaking control—are key areas where Marquez aims to improve as the season continues.
Given the Red Bull Ring’s reputation for stop-and-go racing, Marquez’s difficulty with corner entry could pose a challenge there. He doesn’t consider the Red Bull Ring one of his favorite tracks, despite his past success with podiums in Moto2 races in 2017 and 2019, and a strong fifth-place finish in 2023. However, he plans to have a consistent weekend, focus on long distance runs during Sunday’s race, and aim for a solid performance overall.
Fan Take: Alex Marquez’s honest assessment of his weaknesses and focus on improvement highlights the intense competitiveness at the top of MotoGP. Racing fans should watch closely, as his progress or struggles could shift the dynamics among the top riders and add more excitement to the championship battle in the season’s critical second half.