Factory Ducati rider Marc Marquez was lost for words after clinching his ninth career world title in MotoGP at Motegi.
Six years after his last world title, the Spaniard crossed the line in second place at Motegi, matching Valentino Rossi’s legendary championship total aboard his Ducati.
Marquez’s journey is widely regarded as one of the greatest comeback stories in MotoGP history. He overcame a career-threatening arm injury in 2020, recurring episodes of diplopia, numerous other injuries, and the added challenge of Honda’s sharp decline in competitiveness.
The 32-year-old made the switch to Gresini in 2024 before joining the factory Ducati team in 2025, rediscovering his form and eventually setting dominant records on his way to a ninth world title.
“It’s impossible even to speak,” Marquez shared to the MotoGP world feed broadcast in Motegi.
“I don’t want to remember what I put away, I just want to enjoy the moment, but it’s true that it was difficult.
“It was super-difficult. But now I’m at peace with myself.
“So, I did a big mistake for my career to come back to early and then I fight, fight, fight.
“I’m at peace.”
Marc Marquez: ‘We are humans just trying to do our best’
Marquez’s incredible career began with a period of complete dominance, during which he racked up eight world titles over a decade and set records as the youngest-ever MotoGP champion.
Despite setbacks between 2020 and 2023, his 2025 title makes him the youngest and oldest-ever MotoGP champion simultaneously.
Marquez has won his first MotoGP title with factory Ducati in his debut season, becoming only the second rider after Rossi to claim the championship on two different manufacturers.
“Six years ago, I didn’t know what suffering was,” Marquez shared after the chequered flag post-race.
“I just tasted the glory, all my career, since 2010. It’s true that I had some injuries, but it was always like 3 months, 4 months recovery and win again.
“So when you have four years, with four different surgeries on the arm. Also, I broke other bones during that time, and had double vision twice. It was super difficult.
“We are humans. I have a talent, and other people will have another talent, but we are humans and just trying to do our best.”
READ MORE – Marc Marquez clinches record seventh MotoGP title despite Francesco Bagnaia’s Motegi victory
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