Alex Marquez, a prominent figure in the MotoGP racing world, has strongly refuted suggestions that his deference towards his elder brother, Marc Marquez, is hindering his racing performance. These allegations emerged following the recent Grand Prix in Argentina.
Alex was a significant presence in the race, leading for most of the duration. However, he was surpassed in the last four laps, ultimately trailing the Ducati factory rider by 1.362 seconds. Post-race, he was grilled about whether his respect for Marc was preventing him from outpacing him. This line of questioning was deemed “disrespectful” by Alex.
The younger Marquez brother expressed his frustration, stating, “This question comes up repeatedly, implying that I respect Marc too much. I find it disrespectful. I am a dedicated rider who always gives his all, pushing to the best of my abilities for my team and sponsors.”
He further clarified his stance, acknowledging that his relationship with Marc does influence his attitude on the track, but not to the detriment of his performance. “I understand that he’s my brother, and that does make me more cautious when overtaking him. However, I’m also the first person who wants to beat him. I am realistic about his strengths and I have no qualms in acknowledging them. It doesn’t mean I don’t strive to outdo him every time we race.”
Despite taking second place in Argentina, Alex was content with his result but also recognized that there are areas in which he needs to improve to secure his first MotoGP victory. He candidly admitted that Marc has a knack for exerting more pressure in the latter stages of the race and identified this as an aspect he aims to enhance in his own performance.
Alex shared an overview of his race strategy, revealing, “I started strong right from the beginning, despite a minor setback with Pecco Bagnaia in turn 3. I felt confident throughout the race, even though I had some uncertainty about the tyre choice. In the end, I opted for the same medium rear as Marc and Pecco.”
He continued, “Marc made a small mistake at turn one, and I seized the opportunity. I managed to create a gap with the second group. However, when he passed me at Turn 5, I knew it was time to push harder. I gave it my all, but he managed to outpace me. I was really on the edge, and almost crashed several times. It’s clear that Marc has a better handle on the final stages of the race, and that’s where I need to improve.”
Despite finishing second, Alex is pleased with his overall performance. He currently ranks second in the MotoGP World Championship standings, his highest position to date. The Gresini rider expressed his satisfaction with his current form, saying, “I feel I’m at my peak in MotoGP at the moment. The bike suits my riding style perfectly. I’m enjoying every moment on the bike.”
He concluded by expressing gratitude towards his team and Ducati for their support, and reiterated his commitment to learning from his brother to improve his performance. He said, “We were closer in this race and it’s amazing to be able to compete with your brother for a MotoGP victory.”
