Tokyo – Marc Marquez is on the verge of clinching his seventh MotoGP world championship at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. The Spanish Ducati rider’s season has been one of historic dominance, and a victory would not only crown a remarkable comeback but also see him match the record of motorcycle great Valentino Rossi. With a commanding 512 points, Marquez needs only to finish three points ahead of his brother Alex to secure the title with five races still to spare in the 22-race season.
A Season of Unprecedented Dominance
Marquez’s 2025 campaign has been a masterclass in consistent brilliance. His 512 points are already a single-season record for a MotoGP rider, a testament to his unstoppable form. In the 16 races held so far, he has claimed 11 Grand Prix victories and won 14 of the 16 sprints, demonstrating an overwhelming superiority over the field. While he suffered a rare slip-up in San Marino by crashing out of the sprint while leading, he made no mistake in the following day’s Grand Prix, where he confidently overtook pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi to secure his 99th career race win across all classes.
The Road to a Historic Comeback
A championship win at Motegi would be a deeply personal triumph for Marquez, marking his first title since 2019. It would cap a long and grueling comeback from a devastating injury nightmare that began with a broken right arm in 2020. Having spent years fighting to regain his form, his return to the pinnacle of the sport is widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.
Rivals Fall Behind
Marquez’s charge to the title has been aided by the inconsistent performances of his rivals. Two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia has struggled with erratic form, finishing no higher than seventh in his last four races, with only one Grand Prix win this season. Defending world champion Jorge Martin has also been hindered by injuries. The only rider who can mathematically challenge Marquez for the title is his own brother, Alex Marquez, who is nearly 100 points ahead of Bagnaia in the standings.
Alex Marquez is aware that his brother’s coronation is inevitable, and his focus has shifted. “We’ll continue on our path to the runner-up spot in the championship, which would be a really great result,” he told Super Sport after the San Marino race.
Clinching the Title at Motegi
The Motegi circuit holds a special place in Marquez’s history, as the site of his last Japanese MotoGP win in 2019. Now, he returns with the chance to close out the championship. Marquez remains focused on the task at hand. “We’ll approach Motegi the same way, maintaining the same performance level we’ve shown in all these races,” he told Super Sport. “There are six events left in the season, but we want to wrap up the title race as soon as possible.”
The championship celebrations, which Marquez says are “getting closer and closer,” will likely feature his new Lionel Messi-inspired celebration, where he mimics the footballer’s gesture of holding his shirt up to the crowd. “It looks like a matter of time but I want to keep the same mentality,” he told Super Sport. “Now we need to close as soon as possible, but I know that Alex is also super fast, and he’s also fighting for second place in the championship.”
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