Marc Marquez has revealed that he deliberately altered his riding style for the 2025 MotoGP season, acknowledging that while his previous approach was “more beautiful,” the change is necessary for long-term success.
Known for his aggressive “elbow down” style and pushing the limits by sliding both tyres, the eight-time World Champion has become famous for his daring performances. However, at the 2025 season opener in Thailand, Marquez won both races without a single crash and with a noticeably cleaner riding technique.
“One of the things I focused on this winter was making my riding style cleaner,” Marquez told DAZN España. “I’m not 20 anymore—I’m 32. I need to manage crashes and take care of my body, so I have to be more precise and conserve my energy.
“I know my old style was more exciting to watch, but I realized last year that being smoother is better for my performance. In qualifying, I can still be aggressive, but I’m taking things step by step.”
A key area of focus for Marquez has been improving his performance in right-hand corners—a relative weakness compared to riders like defending champion Francesco Bagnaia.
“I’ve worked a lot on right-hand corners to improve myself,” Marquez said. “I studied Pecco [Bagnaia] closely because he’s very strong in that area. I also learned from my brother Alex.
“My goal wasn’t to be much faster but to be more consistent. I’ve watched many videos, paying attention to how they use their body, legs, and brakes. There’s still work to do, but I’ve already improved and lose less time in those sections.”
Despite the changes, Marquez admits his instincts still push him toward his old riding habits. “Sometimes, my natural instinct tells me to stick with my usual style,” he added. “We’ll see if I can maintain this new approach throughout the season.”
By adopting a more calculated and refined style, Marquez hopes to sustain his winning form while extending his MotoGP career.
