Marc Marquez Throws Away Perfect Start to 2025 at Beloved COTA

Marc Marquez looked poised to win his sixth race out of six (three sprints and three Grand Prix) to start the 2025 MotoGP season at the Circuit of the Americas, in Texas. However, the Spaniard crashed out of a comfortable lead which has blown the championship standings wide open.

Marquez was leading the race, had a two-second gap from his nearest challenger which was Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia and was riding in what appeared to be an effortless manner, before squandering the chance to make his rivals suffer further in what had been a faultless start to the season by the eight-time world champion.

Despite a chaotic start to the American MotoGP when Marquez caused havoc by leaving the grid moments before the start in order to change from wet to dry tyres, the 32-year-old quickly settled into his rhythm once the Grand Prix got underway.

Over a second clear after one lap, Marquez continued adding to his advantage as he gained time from Alex Marquez and Bagnaia every lap.

But then came a mistake we weren’t expecting, as Marquez threw his GP25 bike down the road at turn five with more than half the race remaining, in what was a shocking error by the championship leader at the time - his brother now holds that honour after finishing second for the third time this season in a Grand Prix - fifth time over when including the sprints.

Marquez said: “It was obviously a big mistake, because I had the race under control. I was managing the gap, but I cut the corner at turn five a bit too much and lost the front. Was it a disaster? Yes, it was, but we’re human and sometimes we make mistakes.

“The good thing is that we’re still very close to the top of the standings, so we keep going. We’ll have the same approach in Qatar, trying to understand how to interpret the track the best way. Last year, I had my first racing weekend with Ducati there, and it went well. The good thing is that I know the reason behind my crash - the way I cut the corner; I’m sorry for the team but tomorrow is a new day and the start of a new week.”

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