It will reveal how much their rivals have improved since pre-season testing. The Gresini rider believes the Sepang round will show where Aprilia, Honda, Yamaha, and KTM stand against Ducati’s GP24, which dominated early in the season but has faced tighter competition lately.
Marquez, who won the sprint at Sepang in 2023, says consistency and flow will be key on the demanding circuit. “It will be interesting to see from the pre-season how much the other manufacturers have improved because we have exactly the same bike,” he said.
He also expects Marco Bezzecchi and Pecco Bagnaia to be strong contenders this weekend. “Normally we are really good on traction and grip here, but Aprilia has also improved a lot. It will be interesting to see where we are compared to them,” Marquez added.
With three rounds remaining, Marquez can secure second place in the 2025 championship if he leaves Sepang with more than a 74-point advantage over Bezzecchi. Confident yet cautious, he said he’s ready to “risk a little bit” while maintaining a clever approach.
“The weather could be unpredictable, but we have a good advantage in the championship,” he said. “Now it’s time to risk a little and try to close second place as soon as possible so we can enjoy the last rounds.”
