Álex Márquez admits that second place brings "more freedom"

Spanish rider Álex Márquez (Ducati) confessed this Thursday that the second place secured in the MotoGP World Championship in 2025 allows him to ride with "more freedom," so he guaranteed to "give his all" in the Portuguese Grand Prix of motorcycle racing.

“All the riders want to finish the season on a good note, with good feelings, and as the weekend approaches, we will want to give our best. Finishing second in 2025 allows me to ride with more freedom and do things in the best way possible,” revealed Márquez, who has 413 points and can no longer be overtaken by the Italians Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), third and fourth positioned, with 291 and 286 points, respectively.

During the press conference launching the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit (AIA), Márquez, who was present alongside his compatriot Joan Mir (Honda) and the Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira (Yamaha), spoke of the “great challenge” of riding in Portimão. “It’s true that Portimão is a great challenge to understand the sensations with the bike, such as approaching elevation changes and fast corners,” he specified.

The brother of the reigning champion, Marc Márquez (Ducati), who has already mathematically secured the 2025 title but will be one of the notable absentees in Portimão due to injury, promised to do his best to "be solid and not take risks".

Joan Mir (Honda), former world champion and currently 15th in the standings (93 points), spoke of the need to "be confident to race here [Portimão]".

“I will try [to be confident]. It’s important to find consistency, we can’t give 100% throughout the entire race, but we will try to find that consistency in these last two races [Portugal and Valencia],” he wished.

The former champion of the premier class of motorcycle racing, riding for Suzuki in 2020, precisely the year Oliveira won at the AIA, then analyzed his current situation.

“We are at a stage where we know what we have to do to be fast, and I know that now we have somewhat found the right path to follow, which is a long one. By working hard, we will be able to improve the whole package,” he explained.

In addition to Marc Márquez, his compatriot Jorge Martín (Aprilia), champion in 2024 and winner of the Portuguese round last year, will also be absent from the Algarve due to injury.

The Portuguese Grand Prix will feature, as one of its highlights, Miguel Oliveira's farewell to the Portuguese MotoGP audience, with his move to the World Superbike Championship (production-derived motorcycles) already planned for 2026 with BMW.

The 21st edition of the Portuguese Grand Prix will be held for the sixth consecutive year at the Algarve International Circuit (AIA) in Portimão, which will host a race of the championship for the sixth time, between Friday and Sunday, on the 21st matchday of the 77th season of the main World Motorcycle Championship.