Marc Marquez’s victory at the Argentine MotoGP marked a significant milestone as he claimed his 90th career win, equaling the legendary Spanish racer Angel Nieto on the all-time win list. This achievement not only continues Marquez’s successful start with Ducati Lenovo but also places him behind only Giacomo Agostini (122 wins) and Valentino Rossi (115 wins) in Grand Prix history.
Reflecting on the milestone, Marquez expressed his admiration for Nieto’s legacy. “It’s a big honor to equal Angel Nieto because he was and remains super important for the Spanish motorcycling world. He opened the doors to the world championship,” Marquez said.
Angel Nieto, famous for his superstitious reference to his 13 world titles as “12+1,” became a national icon during his 22-year career, dominating the 50cc, 80cc, and 125cc classes until his retirement in 1986. His influence continues through his family, including his son Pablo Nieto, who is now the VR46 team manager.
Pablo Nieto shared his emotions after seeing Marquez match his father’s record. “It’s amazing how much people still think about him. My family is here because of his legacy—my brother Gelete, my cousin Fonsi. Thank you to everyone, and to Marc, for keeping his memory alive,” Pablo told TNT Sports.
As a tribute to Nieto, Marquez wore a laurel wreath during his slowdown lap at Termas de Río Hondo—a gesture that touched Pablo. “When my father raced, he wore the laurel wreath like that. We keep many of them in his museum. It was a beautiful tribute,” he said.
With two victories to start the 2025 season, Marquez is now within reach of surpassing Valentino Rossi for second on the all-time win list by the end of his two-year contract with Ducati.
“He is one of the best riders ever—there’s no doubt,” Pablo said of Marquez. “Despite the tough years, he still has the speed and the drive. He’s going to be very hard to beat this season.”
Adding to the memorable day for the Nieto family, Franco Morbidelli secured his first podium finish in VR46 colors, reinforcing the legacy of Spanish and Italian motorcycling excellence.
