The 2025 MotoGP season has been a spectacle of speed, strategy, and sibling rivalry, with Marc Márquez and Alex Márquez dominating headlines. The brothers have claimed 1-2 finishes in every race so far, showcasing the might of Ducati’s machinery and their unparalleled synergy. However, as the circus rolls into Jerez for the Spanish Grand Prix, a new contender is emerging from the shadows: Franco Morbidelli. The VR46 rider’s resurgence could spell trouble for the Márquez duo, making this weekend’s race one of the most anticipated showdowns of the season.
Franco Morbidelli’s 2025 campaign has been nothing short of a redemption arc. After years of struggling with uncompetitive machinery and injuries, the Italian-Brazilian rider has found his groove with the VR46 Ducati team. His podium finish in Argentina—his first since 2021—proved he’s no longer just a mid-pack contender. Morbidelli’s bold choice of a soft rear tire in Termas de Rio Hondo paid dividends, as he overtook reigning double world champion Francesco Bagnaia to secure third place. His performance in Qatar further cemented his threat, where he briefly led the race after capitalizing on a first-corner clash between the Márquez brothers.
Morbidelli’s resurgence is rooted in his newfound confidence and the competitive edge of the Ducati GP24. While not as advanced as the factory GP25s ridden by Marc Márquez and Bagnaia, the year-old bike has allowed Morbidelli to showcase his racecraft. His ability to make early passes and maintain pace in the closing laps has caught the attention of pundits and rivals alike. “Frankie’s back,” declared Valentino Rossi, Morbidelli’s mentor and VR46 team owner, after the Qatar GP. “He’s riding with the heart and precision we saw in his 2020 title challenge.”
Marc Márquez, the eight-time world champion, has been untouchable in 2025. With three consecutive weekend hat-tricks (pole, sprint, and Grand Prix victories) in Thailand, Argentina, and Qatar, he leads the championship by 17 points over his brother Alex. His move to the factory Ducati team has reignited his hunger – the ‘Ant of Cervera’ is back to his ruthless best, executing calculated strategies like tire management in Qatar to outpace rivals. His only blemish? A self-admitted mistake in Qatar, where contact with Alex at Turn 1 cost him a winglet but not the win.
Alex Márquez, meanwhile, has silenced doubters who once labeled him as Marc’s shadow. Riding for Gresini Racing, Alex has matched his brother’s pace, securing second place in every race and sprint this season. His consistency on the GP24 has made him a legitimate title contender, though he faces the psychological hurdle of overtaking his brother on track. In Argentina, Alex led for 17 laps, only to be overtaken by Marc in a ruthless display of sibling rivalry.
