Alex Marquez Faces a Challenge: Is Le Mans 2025 a Turning Point for Gresini Racing?

The 2025 MotoGP season has presented fans with intense rivalries and dramatic shifts in momentum, especially within the Ducati camp. While Marc Marquez has surged to the top of the championship standings, the story of Alex Marquez and his journey with Gresini Racing is becoming just as compelling. After a promising start to the year, the Le Mans 2025 Grand Prix has raised serious questions about whether Alex’s title hopes are beginning to fade.

A Strong Start for Alex Marquez in MotoGP 2025

Entering Le Mans, Alex Marquez was considered one of the top satellite riders in the paddock. Riding the Ducati GP24, he had managed to deliver consistent results while avoiding the costly crashes and technical issues that plagued others. At one point, he was ranked second in the championship standings, trailing only his brother Marc.

His consistent pace and smart racecraft gave rise to hopes that Alex Marquez could mount a legitimate championship challenge in MotoGP 2025. Many believed that he was finally stepping out of his brother’s shadow and making a name for himself as a top contender.

The Le Mans Struggle

However, the Le Mans Grand Prix was a clear setback. Throughout the weekend, Alex struggled to find confidence on the Desmosedici GP24. In both the Sprint and the main race, he failed to challenge for the podium and instead finished in the mid-field. For a rider in the title conversation, this was a troubling sign.

The front-end feel of the GP24 under heavy braking has been a known issue all season. While some riders like Fermin Aldeguer have managed to work around it, Alex found it particularly challenging at Le Mans. The result was a loss of valuable points and momentum.

Is the Ducati GP24 Falling Behind?

The Ducati GP24 has proven to be a solid machine, but there’s growing concern that it may no longer be capable of matching the top-tier performance of the GP25, currently being used by factory riders like Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia. The GP24 lacks some of the aerodynamics and chassis adjustments that have made the newer version more adaptable.

Alex Marquez’s struggles at Le Mans were partly due to this performance gap. Riders on the GP25 enjoy better corner entry stability, improved rear grip, and slightly more efficient aero flow, especially in high-speed sectors. These small advantages accumulate quickly over race distance.

Psychological Pressure in the Shadow of Marc Marquez

Compounding Alex’s challenges is the continued dominance of his brother, Marc Marquez. Riding the factory GP25, Marc has not only outpaced his younger brother but also taken over the championship lead with a string of impressive performances.

For Alex, this creates a psychological burden. Every underwhelming finish is directly compared to Marc’s success. At Le Mans 2025, that contrast was on full display, with Marc winning the Sprint race and finishing second in the main event, while Alex struggled to crack the top ten.

Gresini Racing’s Role in Alex’s Future

Gresini Racing has built a strong reputation as a top-performing satellite team, capable of fighting for podiums and race wins. However, their resources and development options are limited compared to the full factory team. This means that riders like Alex Marquez must extract the absolute maximum from what they have.

The team has hinted at possible mid-season upgrades to the GP24’s electronics and suspension geometry to help riders adapt to changing tire behaviors and braking dynamics. Whether these changes will come in time to keep Alex in the title fight remains to be seen.

Alex Marquez’s Reaction After Le Mans

Following the disappointing weekend, Alex Marquez didn’t hold back in his post-race interviews.

“I know I have the speed and the bike to fight up front, but this weekend we just didn’t connect the dots,” he admitted. “The team is working hard, but we’re missing something on the front end. We need to reset and come back stronger.”

His comments suggest both frustration and determination. He’s aware that time is running out to maintain a realistic shot at the 2025 MotoGP championship.

Key Areas for Improvement

For Alex Marquez to bounce back, there are three critical areas that need immediate attention.

First, qualifying performance. Starting from the second or third row often puts him at a disadvantage, especially when early-lap chaos affects track position. Improving one-lap pace could unlock better race outcomes.

Second, the team must enhance front-end stability under braking. It’s a recurring issue not just for Alex, but for several riders using the GP24. This will likely require changes to the fork setup, rake angle, and possibly braking electronics.

Third, a more aggressive race strategy could help. While Alex is known for his smooth and calculated approach, the aggressive style of riders like Pedro Acosta and Jorge Martin has been paying dividends. Alex may need to take more risks to stay competitive.

Upcoming Tracks Offer Hope

Despite the Le Mans setback, Alex Marquez’s season is far from over. The next few races will take place at circuits where he has historically performed well, including Mugello, Assen, and Barcelona-Catalunya.

These tracks suit his flowing riding style and offer fewer low-speed corners that stress the front end. If Gresini Racing can bring small setup improvements, Alex has a realistic chance to return to the podium.

Ducati’s Strategic Dilemma

The situation with Ducati’s rider management is becoming more complex. With eight riders across four teams, Ducati must decide where to direct its development resources and attention. If Pecco Bagnaia continues to struggle and Alex Marquez can deliver strong results, it’s possible that Gresini may receive increased factory support.

Ducati could use this period to evaluate whether Alex Marquez deserves a future factory seat or a test role that influences future Desmosedici development. His performance in the next three rounds will likely play a major role in those decisions.

The Stakes Are Rising

The MotoGP 2025 title fight is as open as it has been in years, but the window for Alex Marquez to stake his claim is narrowing. His consistency early in the season was promising, but MotoGP does not reward consistency without speed and aggression.

If he wants to remain in contention, Alex must adapt quickly. That means pushing harder in qualifying, taking strategic risks in races, and working closely with Gresini to address the technical limitations of the GP24.

A Career-Defining Season in the Making

This year may go down as the most important of Alex Marquez’s MotoGP career. If he can rebound from Le Mans 2025, the championship is still within reach. But if the struggles persist, his status as a top-tier rider could come under serious scrutiny.

No one doubts his talent. The question now is whether he can combine talent with timing and tactical execution in a season that’s more competitive than ever.

If Alex can rise to the challenge, we may look back at Le Mans not as the beginning of the end, but as the race that lit the fire for a career-defining comeback.