Márquez Stuns with Dream Ducati Debut Victory in Thailand
Marc Márquez opened his Ducati career in the most emphatic way possible, storming to victory at the Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram. The eight-time world champion delivered a tactical masterclass, showing patience and precision before striking late to secure a memorable win on his first race with the factory Ducati Lenovo Team.
Credit: Speedcafe.com.au
Starting from pole position, Márquez didn’t rush to dominate from the start. Instead, he tucked in behind his younger brother Álex Márquez, who led the early stages on his Gresini Ducati. For much of the race the two brothers rode in formation, with Marc carefully studying Álex’s pace and conserving his tyres. The decisive moment came with four laps to go, when Marc launched his attack at Turn 3, sweeping past Álex and immediately pulling clear. At the chequered flag, he held a gap of more than a second, sealing his first Ducati win at the very first attempt.
The Marquez brothers’ 1–2 finish was a historic family moment, marking the first time they’ve shared the top steps of a MotoGP podium. Behind them, Francesco Bagnaia recovered from a slower start to claim third, ensuring Ducati locked out the entire rostrum and underlining the Italian marque’s early dominance in 2025.
Márquez’s weekend was close to perfect, as the Spaniard had already claimed victory in Saturday’s sprint race. Leading every lap of the shortened contest, he showed both one-lap pace and long-run consistency, leaving rivals with little room to respond. Across both races, he collected maximum points, putting him firmly at the top of the championship standings after the opening round.
The significance of this debut win cannot be understated. Few riders have managed to win on their first outing with a new factory team, and Márquez’s triumph instantly silenced any doubts about how quickly he could adapt to the Ducati. It also highlighted his rejuvenation after several difficult years battling injuries and struggling with an uncompetitive Honda.
As the MotoGP paddock looks ahead to the next rounds, Márquez’s victory in Thailand sends a clear warning: the Spaniard is back to his best, and with Ducati’s formidable machinery beneath him, he is ready to mount a serious title challenge from day one of the 2025 season.