Alex Marquez, new MotoGP winner: "It's the best birthday present"

Starting fourth on the grid for the Spanish GP, Alex Marquez certainly would not have imagined such a scenario for his first victory in MotoGPHaving stayed in contact with the leading pack in the first laps, the Gresini rider was very aggressive behind the two official Ducati riders.

A first incident helped him in his task, as his older brother, who was chasing second place from Pecco Bagnaia, fell. Only the Italian and the poleman of the weekend, fabio quartararo, then separate him from victory. Two opponents that he will overtake with relative ease before heading towards victory without being worried.

The Gresini driver thus takes the lead in the championship for the second time this season, having become the leader following his brother's first major error in Austin. This time, his lead is much slimmer, as he only has a narrow margin of one point. A few days after celebrating his 29th birthday, the Spaniard is nonetheless fully satisfied with this double accolade.

"It's the best birthday present possible (he was born on April 23rd. Ed.)! It's incredible to be able to win my first race here in Jerez, confides Alex Marquez in the Parc Ferme. The crowd was absolutely incredible all around the circuit, I almost thought I was going to sleep in the gravel at the foot of everyone!”

 "I couldn't ask for more, I was very smart throughout the race, even if at the beginning I attacked a little too much, He continues. So I lost a bit of time, but then I focused on my pace, while making sure not to leave any space for the others. I managed that perfectly, and thanks again to the Jerez crowd, the best in the world!”

This victory also marks the 200th victory for a Spanish rider in MotoGP. He is delivering this feat to his country on home soil.

Six of the twenty-two starters on the grid are now still chasing their first MotoGP victory. These include Luca Marini, Raul Fernandez, Pedro Acosta, and the three rookies for the 2025 MotoGP season, Fermin Aldeguer, Somkiat Chantra, and Ai Ogura.

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