Alex Marquez believes he has earned the right to be considered a 2026 MotoGP title contender after delivering the strongest season of his premier-class career in 2025.
Riding for Gresini Ducati, Marquez has claimed three grand prix victories and two sprint wins, securing second place in the championship and consistently finishing as the top Ducati rider behind runaway champion Marc Marquez. His performance has rewarded him with a factory-spec Desmosedici for next season.
As the year progressed, Marquez admitted that his expectations have risen. Where podiums once thrilled him, he now views second and third places with less satisfaction—an attitude he sees as a positive sign heading into 2026.
“I felt it already. At the start of the year, I was super happy just to be on the podium. Now if we’re second or third, I’m happy, but not like before,” he said at the Valencia Grand Prix.
“I like that people see me as a contender for 2026. It’s what we deserve after this 2025 season. We need to take the opportunity in a good way. No need to change the mentality, but I’m accepting the pressure.”
With Marc Marquez absent due to injury since Indonesia, Alex says he has found extra motivation in stepping up as a new benchmark on the grid.
“Less people outside the motor home. A lot of positive things,” he joked.
“When you have a reference all season and suddenly that reference isn’t there, it’s interesting. It motivates me to be the reference, the guy who sets the limit on track.”
