At the annual FIM Awards ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, Marc Marquez was honored with the 2025 MotoGP World Champion gold medal. However, the evening held an unexpected highlight when Marquez was called back to the stage to receive the inaugural FIM Sporting Trophy from FIM president Jorge Viegas. Viegas praised the Ducati Lenovo rider, calling his comeback “one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time.” The trophy bears the inscription: “Excellence through resilience, courage and tenacity.”
Marquez’s journey back to the pinnacle of MotoGP was marked by a difficult five-year period that included a severe arm and eye injury, retirement from his long-time team Honda, a fresh start with Gresini Racing, and finally joining the factory Ducati team, where he secured the championship. Viegas acknowledged that all champions recognized that night earned their medals deservedly but highlighted Marquez’s return as the most extraordinary in the sport’s history.
In a red carpet interview with former World Superbike Champion James Toseland, Marquez reflected on his return, expressing joy and pride in reconnecting with peers from different disciplines and emphasizing the difficulty of what he calls “the comeback.” He noted that at times his return seemed nearly impossible but ended triumphantly with a championship win. Marquez dominated the 2025 season, clinching his ninth MotoGP title with five races to spare despite missing the last race because of a shoulder injury.
Fan Take: This remarkable comeback story underscores the incredible resilience and determination that racing fans admire, reminding everyone that setbacks can be overcome with steadfast commitment. Marquez’s triumph also injects fresh excitement into the MotoGP narrative, promising fierce competition and inspiring stories for the sport’s future.
