– Nine world championship titles, countless victories, and yet self-doubt like a rookie: Marc Marquez spoke unusually openly about the most emotionally difficult phase of his career in the Spanish podcast Tengo un Plan.
Read more Bearman in the 1985 Senna-Lotus: A deeply emotional moment
At the center: his switch from Honda to Gresini-Ducati and the moment when even the multiple world champion did not know if he could still be fast at all.
When asked about the most nervous moment of his career, Marquez does not have to think long. “One of the most nervous days of my career was the first day I tested the Ducati. In Valencia,” the Spaniard recalls.
After eleven years at Honda, much more was at stake for him than just a brand change. The current Ducati factory rider explains that his perception of pressure has completely changed over the years.
Marquez: Perspective has changed
As a teenager or young MotoGP rider, he did not really understand the dimension of his career: “At 20 or 15 years old, I was not even aware of where I actually was. At 33, you know exactly where you stand. You have more responsibility and many more people are watching you,” Marquez explains.
Precisely for this reason, he felt the pressure more intensely than before, even if he can now handle it better. Especially the question of whether he would still be competitive at all after the recently difficult Honda years and repeated injuries occupied the 33-year-old back then.
Before the first Ducati test, Marquez repeatedly sought reassurance from his closest circle. “I asked my people: Do you really believe I can ride a Ducati?” He even confronted his brother Alex with this.
The answers were always similar: “Are you crazy or what? It’s a motorcycle – two wheels, one engine. You can ride a motorcycle, you haven’t forgotten that.”
Nevertheless, the uncertainty remained. Especially because Marquez did not know if the Ducati would suit his aggressive riding style. “My big question was: Can I be fast with this motorcycle?” This uncertainty created enormous inner pressure.
Read more DTM-BoP changed for five cars: Can Thiim strike back in the title fight?
For him, it was less about public expectations and more about proving it to himself. Because for Marquez, the switch to Gresini was possibly the last big chance. “I knew that I didn’t have many bullets left in my career,” he says. “And that was one of those important bullets.”
Switch pays off: World champion 2025
As is well known, he used this chance impressively: After the restart at Gresini, Marquez found his old strength again, won races, and finally recommended himself for the promotion to the Ducati factory team, with which he became world champion in 2025.
Photo series: The suffering path of MotoGP star Marc Marquez
Especially remarkable: Marquez apparently completely waived a salary at Gresini. In the podcast, he openly confirms that money did not matter at the time. “I told the team that I absolutely wanted this motorcycle. They said: ‘We can’t pay anything.’ And I said: ‘That’s not a problem.'”
At the same time, he emphasizes that his case was an exception. Because basically, MotoGP riders have to know their worth and be paid accordingly.
“This is a good example of how much I wanted it, but not a good example for the championship,” warns the nine-time world champion. “The riders risk their lives out there. Therefore, they must be valued accordingly.”
For this reason, minimum salaries for riders are also being discussed. Marquez, in any case, emphasizes: “We ride at 350 km/h and risk our lives. It’s like any other profession: More risk usually means more pay.”
After years full of pain, doubts, and sporting challenges, he himself appears significantly more relaxed. “This year I feel much less pressure,” he says. Perhaps also because he has now answered the most important question of his career: Yes, he can ride a Ducati, and damn fast.
Read more Top 5! Mick Schumacher really strong in free practice in Markham
