With his phenomenal start to the 2025 MotoGP season at the first round in Thailand, I’ve seen many comments (with differing levels of seriousness) claiming that “the old Marc Marquez is back”. I however, am not so sure, and I thought it was worth explaining why.

I feel a slight disclaimer is needed before I delve further into the topic that is Marc Marquez’s motorcycle racing career. Growing up in a household with one of Valentino Rossi’s biggest fans (and I don’t say that lightly, I’m pretty sure that for a few years there were more photos hung up in our house of Rossi than of me), means the older of the Marquez brothers wasn’t viewed in the highest regard in our family. In fact, until last year, picking Marc as a MotoGP rider was banned in our family’s Fantasy League. I wanted to specify this at the beginning, because I recognise that the lens I look at Marc’s career through is perhaps slightly different to that of a fan (however I’d also like to clarify that I’m not and never was a “hater”, and I think even my Mum would now say the same about her feelings towards Rossi’s last MotoGP rival).

Marc Marquez entered MotoGP in 2013 with a bang. People had been expecting great things from the 20 year old, but he had by far exceeded them. Marquez’s timings and simulations in pre-season testing had many impressed, and he was quick to continue that once the season began, picking up his first podium finish in his first MotoGP race, then at his second ever MotoGP race at COTA (which was new to the MotoGP calendar for 2013), he achieved his first premier class victory. There was no denying that Marc meant business – he was here to win, and he was achieving just that.

During the 2013 season, Marquez took hold of several impressive records for a rookie in the premier class, including most pole positions, most podium finishes, and most points scored.

Marc’s strong desire to win began when he was a child, and has persisted throughout his career as a motorcycle racer. As the number of wins and titles achieved by Marquez grew, the more he proved himself to be one of the all-time greats. Marc had reached a peak that showed no signs of stopping – showing us amazing racecraft that resulted in some fantastic victories.

Naturally, winning races is clearly the goal for any MotoGP rider. But the source of that desire, I think, can be different for each individual. Whilst I don’t think it’s fair to say that Marquez was taking his victories for granted, it’s only natural that winning so many races and breaking so many records meant that “winning” started to take on a slightly different meaning – which record could he break next? How large could the number of wins get? This is a mindset any highly-decorated individual can potentially fall into. It certainly became pretty expected as a spectator that Marc would win a large number of the races each season, so surely it became somewhat expected for Marc also?

Then, of course, 2020 happened.

Fracturing his right humerus at the opening round in Jerez, Marquez ended up missing the rest of the 2020 season after surgery and an attempted comeback that was cancelled following extreme pain. His injury was far worse than he wanted to admit, and Marquez didn’t compete in a MotoGP race again until the third race of the 2021 season.

I’ve read the interviews, I’ve watched the documentaries, and I still can’t comprehend just how difficult this period of Marc’s life must have been for him. As such a competitive individual, watching his peers continue to race whilst he focused on recovery for such an extended period of time must have been a huge mental and physical battle – one that he likely never imagined he’d ever have to face.

With the 2022 and 2023 seasons seeing Marquez miss further race weekends due to various injuries and additional surgeries, along with Honda’s declining form, Marc’s decision to terminate his Honda contract early wasn’t entirely surprising. After returning to the sport he loved, he was ready to compete, but found himself unable to do so. Something was missing.

Joining his brother Alex at the Gresini Racing MotoGP team for 2024 was possibly the best decision he could have made at this point in his career. Alex has made no secret of how warm and supportive the Gresini team has been towards him over the years, and it was clear during race weekends that Marc’s love for the sport was returning.

The true turning point for me was watching Marquez celebrate his P2 finish at Jerez – he celebrated that podium finish like it was a title-winning victory. Then came the win at Aragon, his first MotoGP victory in 1043 days, and another huge celebration. Whilst there are many out there who criticise Marc’s dancing, I have to admit that I’m a big fan, as to me it’s a display of pure joy.

As with any sporting figure, experience provides a level of maturity that their younger selves couldn’t comprehend. But the years that Marc has been in the MotoGP paddock aren’t why I don’t see the “old” Marquez, now that he’s back to his winning ways.

Now, I see a motorcycle racer who has reignited that same passion he had as a child, and when he first raced in MotoGP, but with a greater appreciation for what each lap on the bike means, and how fortunate he is to be in his position. Whilst I don’t think Marquez was ever ungrateful, I can’t help but think that he learnt most about what it means to win, and what success actually looks like to him, during the time he spent away from the track recovering.