MotoGP Grid Feels the Absence of Marc Marquez's Competitive Fire

The absence of Marc Marquez from the MotoGP grid has been keenly felt by his rivals, despite the increased opportunities for victory in his absence, as the season draws to a close in Valencia.

Marquez, sidelined due to an injury sustained at the Indonesian Grand Prix, will be present at the Valencia finale, but only as a spectator. This marks his first appearance in a MotoGP paddock since the Mandalika incident that prematurely ended his 2024 campaign. The void left by the eight-time world champion (six in MotoGP) has been a recurring topic among the riders, many of whom acknowledge the unique challenge and benchmark he provides.

Marco Bezzecchi, who was involved in the incident that led to Marquez’s injury, expressed a sentiment echoed by several other riders. “Marc always puts the level super high,” Bezzecchi stated. “Overall, at every track, he’s able to be super competitive. And Valencia is one of the tracks where he’s historically been super, super fast.”

Bezzecchi acknowledged the potential advantage of Marquez’s absence in terms of the competition. "So let’s say that there is maybe one less very strong rival, for sure, during the race. [But] it’s a shame, because when he’s here, okay, it’s more difficult, of course… but this also pushes you to try to [do] better and better.”

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The incident in Mandalika, where Bezzecchi collided with Marquez from behind, resulted in a double long-lap penalty for the Aprilia rider. The accident compounded Marquez’s already challenging season with the factory Ducati team, marked by inconsistent performances and mechanical issues.

Since Marquez’s sidelining, the MotoGP landscape has seen a shift in winners. Bezzecchi himself secured a victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix, while Alex Marquez, Marc’s younger brother, triumphed in Malaysia. Raul Fernandez claimed victory at the Australian Grand Prix aboard his Trackhouse Aprilia, and Pedro Acosta also needs to break his MotoGP duck.

Pedro Acosta of KTM offered a slightly different perspective, focusing on the entertainment aspect. "I think every one of us always pushes to 100% of what we have, [whether or not] Marc is there," Acosta commented. "It’s true that it’s not as fun when the champion is not on track, but I think it doesn’t matter, really, because I think we always push to our 100%."

Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) highlighted the motivational impact of his brother’s absence. “For the whole season, you have a reference," he explained. "And then that reference disappears. This year it’s quite interesting to see, but it’s something that motivates me to be the reference, to be the guy that puts the limit on the track and all that."

Alex added, “So yeah, [Marc being away] changed quite a lot, but it’s something that I accept much better this year compared to a few years ago.” This suggests a personal growth and adaptation to the changing dynamics of the sport.

Marc Marquez’s career has been marked by periods of dominance, punctuated by injury setbacks. After winning the MotoGP title in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, a serious arm injury in 2020 significantly hampered his performance and led to multiple surgeries. While he returned to racing, regaining his previous form has been a persistent challenge.

The 2024 season was poised to be a crucial one for Marquez, as he sought to prove his competitiveness with the factory Ducati team. However, the early season struggles and the subsequent injury have raised questions about his future trajectory in the sport. He won’t be on the grid in 2025, after accepting a deal with Gresini Racing.

The Valencia finale presents an opportunity for several riders to end their season on a high note. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is the defending champion. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) has been working to regain his form after a challenging season, while Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) has been a consistent frontrunner, and is switching to Aprilia for 2025.

The absence of Marquez in Valencia will be noticed, but it also opens the door for other riders to make their mark and potentially challenge the established hierarchy. The race is expected to be highly competitive, with riders eager to capitalize on the opportunity to secure a prestigious victory.