Mighty Marquez completes comeback MotoGP crown

Marc Marquez has ridden from the injury-ridden darkness to the top of the world again by clinching a seventh MotoGP World Championship, and most unlikely in Japan.

Marquez secured the 2025 championship with a runner-up finish in Motegi, being 201 points clear of brother Alex and completing his amazing comeback.

Sick of the pain at Honda, the #93 made the shock move to Ducati last year and needed just 16 races to return to the summit in his first season in the factory colours amid total domination.

It brings to an end six years of suffering since his last crown and Marquez was struggling to hold back the tears after all the fighting amounted to the ultimate.

“It is impossible to even speak,” he said.

“I just want to enjoy the moment. It was super difficult, but right now I am at peace and everything is okay.

“I made a big mistake earlier in my career, but I fight, fight, fight and I have won again.”

While Marquez celebrated his six-year redemption arc, his forgotten Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia finally had something to smile about in Motegi.

After 14 tough races, where Bagnaia mustered only five podiums, the two-time world champion finally rediscovered his best.

The Italian dominated the Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix, sweeping both the Sprint and Grand Prix.

It started on Saturday when he ended a six-month break from the top step after controlling the 12-lap dash from pole.

Right behind him was Marc Marquez, while Pedro Acosta held onto a podium place after a contest with Joan Mir.

The race was defined by a scary start crash at Turn 1 where the Aprilia teammates took each other out in a heavy impact that left Jorge Martin with a broken collarbone.

Miller sat 11th before joining the list of retirements on the final lap.

Marquez lined up on the front row, knowing he simply needed to finish second to clinch the crown and did just that.

Meanwhile, his teammate stole the show as Bagnaia had a brilliant start and was never headed, securing his breakthrough win by 4s.

However, not everything went to plan for the #93 as Acosta launched well off the line and snared second in the early stages.

It was not until midway that Marquez was able to regain the pivotal position he needed to get the long-awaited tile.

Meanwhile, this was the start of Acosta’s slide as he ended up drifting down to 17th following an off.

It also allowed Joan Mir to complete his ride to another breakthrough, securing his first podium for Honda and first since 2021.

Sadly, Miller retired for the second time of the weekend.

He will be looking to bounce back before his home race with the Island calling on October 17-19.

Before then, MotoGP heads to Indonesia this weekend.

Image: Gold and Goose

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.