Nearly two years ago, British MotoGP veteran and former Honda rider Cal Crutchlow made a bold prediction about Marc Marquez. Now, that prediction seems to be coming true, and it could well sound a warning bell for the rest of the field.
In 2023, when Marquez announced his departure from Honda to join the Gresini Ducati team, Crutchlow said: " I always said that if Marc gets on a Ducati, the others might as well not come. I knew what he was doing, I understood him, but I couldn't do it. His talent was incredible »
These words, relayed by crash.net spoken by a pilot who had access to the data Honda and who had seen up close the performances of Marquez, resonate today like a prophecy. After a 2024 season of adaptation on a Ducati of one year, Marquez finally made his debut with the official team Ducati in 2025. And the results are already impressive.
In the first round of the 2025 season in Thailand, Marc Marquez dominated the weekend, winning the race with disconcerting ease. This weekend in Argentina, the warning signs suggest he could repeat this feat.
Neil Hodgson, commentator for TNT Sports, recalled the words of Crutchlow : " I remember him saying those words. When Cal says something with that much passion, you believe it.. Of course we believe him. He had access to Honda data on what Marc was doing. »
Hodgson added: “ Was Cal right? What we observed in Thailand… everyone did tests there, everyone had information. It wasn't a counterclockwise course. That he destroyed his opponents that way shocked me. It sent shockwaves through the paddock. »
🤠 @marcmarquez93 turned into a cowboy after breaking the lap record#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/gRcbZacNNa
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 14, 2025
« It could be said that no one will overshadow Marc Marquez before Qatar. »
Suzi Perry, also a commentator for TNT Sports, pointed out the apparent ease with which Marquez dominated in Thailand : " it was how easy it seemed. He made it look easyHe had a problem to solve, he solved it, then he left as if everyone was in first gear »
Michael Laverty, another TNT Sports pundit, called the performance Marquez in Thailand as one of the most dominant in recent MotoGP history: " It was one of the most dominant MotoGP performances in some time. He had such control over the feeling, over his bike and over the factors that were being addressed that day. He is a very brilliant pilotHe had two choices: try to win by 10 seconds, or concede. He had the speed and dominance in every session. Shockwaves rippled through the paddock as they realized, "We're in trouble here..." »
With such dominance from the start of the season, Marc Marquez looks set to become the force to be reckoned with in MotoGP once again. The prediction of Crutchlow, once considered daring, now takes on its full meaning.
The rest of the peloton will have to redouble its efforts to counter this threat. As Laverty noted: " We could say that no one will overshadow him before Qatar, since he does not like this track too much »
With Marc Marquez in great shape on a official Ducati, the 2025 season promises to be a formidable one for its competitors. The other drivers have their work cut out for them to stand up to the competition...
MotoGP, Argentina D1: times
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