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Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez considers his recent MotoGP victory at Jerez to be as significant as his previous championships in Moto2 and Moto3.
After spending five seasons in MotoGP, the Spaniard finally achieved his first win at his home race. This victory comes after a series of runner-up finishes to his brother Marc Marquez earlier this season and at a venue he long desired to conquer.
“If you had asked me where I would want to win my first MotoGP race, I would say Jerez for sure,” Marquez stated, reflecting on the importance of the track for him.
“I won my first Moto2 race here as well, and it was already special. But winning MotoGP [here] is like another level. When I crossed the finish line near Turn 9 and Turn 10 [the stadium section], it was simply amazing.”
He praised the local fans, noting, “We have the best spectators in the world, and the most respectful. Yeah, it was an amazing race for me.”
When asked to compare this win to his prior championships, which he secured in 2014 and 2019, Marquez was clear in his feelings.
“[This is on the] same level as my two titles. Today was on that level.”
The win places Marquez at the forefront of the MotoGP title race for the second time, leaving Jerez just one point ahead of his brother Marc, who had only been defeated once this season prior to this race.
While achieving this milestone required him to surpass competitors like Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo, the situation was somewhat aided by Marc’s fall on lap three. Alex acknowledged that his brother’s influence played a substantial role in his emotions throughout the victory lap.
“As I approached the last corner, I was filled with mixed emotions—happiness and a rush of feelings. It was super nice,” he shared.
He also reflected on the challenges he faced in recent years, stating, “It has been tough at times. But when you have the right people behind you… I thought a lot about those who have supported me: my grandfather, my family, and especially Marc.”
“He’s the person with me every day, providing the most support and advice.”
Despite reclaiming the championship lead, Alex emphasized that he is focused solely on celebrating this victory. He appears to recognize that with Marc having a newer factory Ducati, he remains the frontrunner for the title. When asked about his earlier assertions regarding championship thoughts, Alex simply replied “no,” indicating he was not adjusting his stance.
The performance gap between the two Ducati machines may expand soon, as MotoGP teams are scheduled to return to the Jerez track for official testing. Although Alex noted he may not have many updates to trial, Marc’s factory team is expected to debut significant advancements on the GP25.
Source
www.autosport.com