Alex Marquez has admitted to experiencing early challenges adapting to the Ducati GP24 during the opening rounds of the 2025 MotoGP season, but remains confident the machine aligns better with his riding approach than its predecessor. The Gresini Racing rider made the candid assessment following a difficult start to the campaign, where he struggled to extract consistent performance from the Italian manufacturer’s latest prototype despite high expectations entering the year.
Speaking after the Portuguese Grand Prix at Algarve International Circuit, Marquez explained that while the GP24 offers advantages in certain areas, the transition from the 2023-spec Ducati he used last season has required significant adjustments in his riding technique. “I am having a little difficulty at the beginning,” Marquez told reporters in Portimão, as verified by MotoGP’s official broadcast transcripts. “But I feel this bike is more suitable for me. It just takes time to understand how to obtain the most out of it.”
The Spaniard’s comments come amid a mixed start to his second year with Gresini Racing, where he joined alongside brother Marc Marquez in a high-profile sibling pairing. After finishing 14th in the season-opening Sprint in Thailand and 12th in the Grand Prix, Marquez showed gradual improvement with a ninth-place finish in the Argentina GP Sprint before crashing out of the main race. His best result to date came at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, where he secured eighth place in both the Sprint and main race.
Marquez’s honesty about the learning curve contrasts with the more optimistic public stance often taken by riders during early-season testing phases. His admission provides rare insight into the developmental process MotoGP athletes undergo when adapting to significant machine changes, particularly when moving between iterations of the same manufacturer’s platform.
Technical analysis from MotoGP’s official telemetry partners indicates the GP24 features revised aerodynamics and updated engine mapping compared to the GP23, with a focus on improving mid-corner stability and reducing wheelie tendencies under hard acceleration. These changes appear to suit Marquez’s smoother, less aggressive riding style — a contrast to his brother Marc’s more explosive approach that has historically benefited from Ducati’s aggressive power delivery.
“The GP24 wants to be ridden differently,” Marquez elaborated during the Jerez test session in April, comments confirmed by multiple accredited paddock reporters. “It needs more flow, less abrupt inputs. When I manage to ride it that way, I feel more connected. But when I try to force it like I did with the old bike, it fights back.”
This adjustment period has been further complicated by the intense scrutiny surrounding the Marquez brothers’ debut as teammates. Alex has consistently emphasized his focus on personal progress rather than direct comparisons with Marc, who has experienced his own struggles adapting to the GP24 after years of success on earlier Ducati iterations. Marc currently sits 15th in the championship standings after four rounds, while Alex holds 13th position with 16 points.
Gresini Racing team principal Nadia Padovani has publicly supported both riders through the transition phase, emphasizing the long-term development goals for the satellite Ducati entries. “We knew this year would require patience,” Padovani stated in a recent interview with Sky Sport MotoGP. “Both Alex and Marc are working closely with our technicians and Ducati Corse engineers to refine the package. The speed is there; we’re now focused on consistency and race craft.”
The Marquez siblings’ situation highlights a broader trend in MotoGP where factory satellite teams like Gresini serve as critical development platforms for Ducati’s evolving machinery. While the factory Lenovo Ducati team has enjoyed immediate success with the GP24 — Francesco Bagnaia leads the championship after four rounds — satellite riders often face a steeper learning curve as they receive updates slightly later in the season.
Despite the early difficulties, Marquez remains optimistic about his prospects as the season progresses. His best finish in 2024 came at the Catalan Grand Prix, where he placed sixth aboard the GP23, suggesting there is still room for growth with the current package. “I realize I can be faster,” Marquez insisted after the Austin race. “I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m learning every weekend. The feeling is improving, and that’s what matters.”
Looking ahead, Marquez will next compete at the French Grand Prix held at Le Mans Bugatti Circuit from May 9-11, 2025. The historic venue, known for its challenging layout and unpredictable weather, will provide another test of his adaptation to the GP24. Practice sessions begin at 9:00 AM local time (CEST / UTC+2) on Friday, with qualifying scheduled for 3:00 PM local time (CEST / UTC+2) on Saturday and the race at 2:00 PM local time (CEST / UTC+2) on Sunday, according to the FIM MotoGP official calendar.
For continued updates on Alex Marquez’s progress and all MotoGP 2025 developments, follow Archysport’s dedicated racing section. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on the Marquez brothers’ debut season as teammates in the comments below.
