Alex Marquez claims Marc Marquez might retire if the Ducati venture falls short

Alex Marquez joined the Gresini Ducati team in 2023 and has been very comfortable with them.

Marc Marquez and his brother, Alex Marquez (Credits: BBC)

In a seismic shift, Marc Marquez, the six-time MotoGP world champion, is set to don the Gresini Racing colors for the 2024 season, swapping his familiar Honda steed for a Ducati. This departure from a decade-long Honda alliance has stirred the MotoGP waters, with Marquez eyeing Gresini as his haven for rediscovering the joy in racing.

Marquez’s brother Alex Marquez will be his teammate at Gresini and shared insights on his brother’s feelings about joining the Italian squad. The one-year alliance aims to allow Marquez to assess his future in 2025 and regain his long-lost love for riding. Honda and Marc were in hot waters as they were grappling with a massive downfall in the performance, thus forcing Marquez to opt for a year-old Ducati.

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Alex Marquez, speaking to Autosport.com, sheds light on the gravity of this move, revealing, “He is really [open] to me, and he says ‘ok, if I don’t enjoy I will retire.’ It’s like this.” The one-year deal with Gresini is not merely a contractual dance; it’s a litmus test for Marquez’s racing enthusiasm. A single season, a single chance to rejuvenate the spirit that fueled eight world titles.

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Alex, nursing an injury that sidelined him from the recent Indonesian Grand Prix, is a testament to the uncertainties a rider can face. Yet, he radiates confidence, asserting, “I’m sure in Valencia after one day already he will enjoy it a lot, and these things [doubts] he has in his head will disappear really fast.” The Ducati test in November is poised to be the crucible for Marquez’s passion revival.

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Marc Marquez has seen progress in the Honda team since the first Indian GP

Amidst the backdrop of crashes and challenges in the Indonesian GP, where Marquez’s falls reached a season total of 23, the decision to part ways with Honda becomes clearer. “It’s not taking too long [to get to the end of the season],” says Marquez, emphasizing the need to recalibrate and finish the season on a positive note. He claims that “In the last races, from India, it seemed that we were further ahead.”

Marc Marquez and Joan Mir, Repsol Honda (Credits: Autosport)

Beyond the familial connection, Marquez’s move intertwines with broader narratives. Gresini, often seen as a stepping stone, becomes a stage where the virtuoso aims to orchestrate a symphony of success. The one-year commitment, a chess move, allows flexibility in assessing the road ahead in 2025, echoing the uncertainty that defines life on two wheels.

As Marquez prepares to tame the Ducati, speculation and anticipation ripple through the MotoGP community. The narrative transcends contractual obligations; it’s about a rider’s pursuit of joy and the dynamic chessboard of the racing world. The echoes of Marquez’s engine roars will resonate beyond the circuits, shaping not just a season but potentially heralding the end of an era.