Gresini rider Alex Marquez says rear tyre problems just five laps into the Valencia Grand Prix ended his chances of fighting for victory in the 2025 MotoGP finale.
After taking a surprise sprint win on Saturday, despite feeling he lacked the pace to match Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, Marquez looked set for a strong Sunday battle. He and eventual race winner Bezzecchi pulled away early from the rest of the field, but Marquez’s pace suddenly faded as he began losing grip on his rear medium tyre.
Marquez eventually crossed the line in sixth after team-mate Fermin Aldeguer overtook him at the final corner. He explained that the issue wasn’t due to bike set-up, as the team kept the same configuration from Saturday.
Marquez said he made a strong start and felt competitive behind Bezzecchi, but from lap five onwards he experienced a major drop in rear grip along with heavy vibrations. He added that the tyre hadn’t even reached proper operating temperature when the problem began, making the early drop-off unusual.
He noted that the final 15 laps were difficult, but viewed the experience as a chance to learn and prepare for future races. The team will analyse the issue during testing on Tuesday, with Marquez focusing on adapting his riding style to manage such situations better.
