JEREZ – In an unforgettable performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing claimed his first-ever MotoGP victory, snatching the championship lead from his elder brother Marc Marquez who suffered an early crash and finished 12th.
With over 100,000 fans cheering him on, Alex Marquez delivered a career-defining ride in front of his home crowd, finally securing his maiden victory after a series of second-place finishes. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who had been waiting for this moment all season, described it as “the best birthday present,” having celebrated his birthday just earlier in the week.
The race began with a bang, as polesitter Fabio Quartararo made a perfect start, seizing the lead from turn one, while Marc Marquez, who had won Saturday’s sprint, fell back to fourth. Alex attempted an ambitious move to pass three riders early on but overshot his braking, losing ground. Meanwhile, Marc collided with Francesco Bagnaia, resulting in Marc crashing at Turn 7, leaving him with a damaged bike and having to rejoin in 22nd place.
As Marc was dealing with his mishap, Alex began his charge up the field. He elbowed past Bagnaia to move into second place and set his sights on Quartararo, who was holding onto the lead. By lap 11, Alex’s Ducati proved to be too much for the Yamaha rider, as he overtook Quartararo and began pulling away from the rest of the field.
From that point onward, Alex Marquez was unstoppable. As the race unfolded, he continued to extend his lead, and by the time he crossed the finish line, he had secured a dream victory, the first of his MotoGP career. Francesco Bagnaia finished third, while Fabio Quartararo took second place, marking Yamaha’s first podium since the 2023 Indonesian Grand Prix.
In an emotional moment after the race, Marc Marquez made his way through the crowd to embrace his brother, marking the first time in MotoGP history that two brothers have won races in the same season.
Alex’s win sees him leapfrog Marc in the championship standings, with a one-point advantage after the Spanish Grand Prix. The win also saw Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis star, waving the chequered flag, adding another layer of excitement for the home crowd.
“It was amazing, the first one in Jerez is something special,” said Alex after the race. “I was really clever in all my movements. I can’t ask for more.”
The win not only marks a career milestone for Alex but also signals the beginning of what could be a thrilling championship battle between the two Marquez brothers for the rest of the season.
