Racing

MotoGP Riders Celebrate Marc Marquez's Ninth World Championship Title

The MotoGP world is abuzz with tributes for Marc Marquez, who secured his ninth world championship in a stunning display of resilience and skill. Fellow riders and close associates reflect on his incredible journey back to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.

A Champion's Return: Triumph Over Adversity

Quartararo Hails Marquez: A Legend Cemented

Fabio Quartararo has unequivocally declared Marc Marquez a true legend after the latter clinched his ninth world championship at the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix. Marquez's second-place finish, directly behind his Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, was enough to seal the 2025 MotoGP title with five races still remaining in the season. Quartararo, who has engaged in numerous thrilling battles with Marquez on the track, expressed profound emotion witnessing his rival's triumph.

The Unbelievable Comeback: From Injury to Glory

This championship victory marks a monumental comeback, widely considered one of the most significant in athletic history. Marquez's journey was fraught with challenges, including a severe arm injury at Jerez in 2020 that necessitated four intricate surgeries over several years. This latest title elevates his premier class count to seven, placing him alongside the legendary Valentino Rossi and just one short of Giacomo Agostini's record.

Acosta's Admiration: Paving the Path to Success

Rising star Pedro Acosta, often seen as Marquez's successor, extended his congratulations to the newly crowned champion and his inner circle. Acosta underscored the extraordinary nature of Marquez's return, particularly after enduring such intense physical and mental hardships. He noted Marquez's strategic decision to transition from Honda to Ducati, highlighting the cleverness and perfect execution of his plan, which ultimately led to this dominant championship win. Acosta believes Marquez should be immensely proud of this achievement, perhaps even more so than his previous eight titles.

Vinales' Perspective: A Model of Resilience

Maverick Vinales, a Tech3 KTM rider, praised Marquez as an exemplary figure. He remarked on the immense accomplishment of returning to the top after years plagued by injuries, meticulously rebuilding his career, first with Gresini and then by securing an official Ducati ride. Vinales found it incredible that Marquez could compete head-to-head with Bagnaia and emerge victorious, calling him both a reference point and a role model for aspiring riders.

The Personal Struggles: A Brother's Insight

The severity of Marquez's struggles became apparent after his crash at the Spanish GP five years prior, which forced him out of the remainder of the 2020 season. Subsequent years saw him miss numerous races due to ongoing surgeries and complications, including issues with double vision. His brother, Alex Marquez, revealed that even those closest to Marc couldn't fully grasp the depth of his suffering, as there were moments when he contemplated retiring from MotoGP altogether. Alex emphasized that Marc's victory was hard-earned, a testament to his relentless work ethic and unparalleled determination, proving doubters wrong when he acquired the right tools to fight once more.

MotoGP Riders Celebrate Marc Marquez's Ninth World Championship Victory

In a moment of profound sporting triumph, prominent figures within the MotoGP community, including Fabio Quartararo, have honored Marc Marquez as a true legend following his capture of a ninth world championship title at the recent Japanese Grand Prix. Marquez's second-place finish, right behind his Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia, was sufficient to clinch the 2025 MotoGP crown with five races still to be contested, marking a truly exceptional season.

This victory represents one of the most remarkable comebacks in the annals of sports, occurring after Marquez endured a devastating arm injury in Jerez in 2020. This injury necessitated four complex surgeries over several years, casting a shadow over his illustrious career. Quartararo, reflecting on their past intense rivalries from 2019 and the early 2020s, acknowledged that Marquez's latest success firmly establishes his legendary status. Young talent Pedro Acosta, seen by many as Marquez's successor, also praised his compatriot's journey back to the pinnacle of the sport, recognizing the immense struggles and strategic decisions, like moving to Ducati, that paved the way for this championship win.

The journey back to championship glory was fraught with challenges for Marquez, including missing significant portions of the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons due to his persistent injuries and complications, including double vision. His brother, Alex Marquez, confirmed the profound difficulties Marc faced, even revealing that retirement from MotoGP was a serious consideration during those dark times. Despite these adversities, Marc's unwavering determination, hard work, and astute tactical decisions, particularly his transition to Ducati, ultimately propelled him to this monumental achievement, a testament to his extraordinary mental fortitude, as admired by his teammate Bagnaia.

Marc Marquez's journey to his ninth world championship stands as a beacon of perseverance and courage. It illustrates that with sheer will and strategic acumen, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome, transforming personal hardship into a narrative of ultimate success and cementing a legacy that transcends mere athletic achievement to inspire all who witness it.

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Alpine Secures First LMDh Victory in Thrilling Fuji 6 Hours Race

The Fuji 6 Hours of the World Endurance Championship witnessed Alpine's triumphant capture of their first-ever victory with the A424 LMDh car, a testament to strategic brilliance and driver prowess amidst a highly unpredictable race.

Alpine's Historic Win: A Masterclass in Endurance and Strategy

Alpine Triumphs in a Race of Unforeseen Challenges

The #35 Alpine A424 LMDh, piloted by Charles Milesi, Paul-Loup Chatin, and Ferdinand Habsburg, claimed a momentous victory at the Fuji 6 Hours. This win marks Alpine's initial success with their LMDh prototype in the World Endurance Championship. The race itself was a spectacle of chaos, punctuated by three safety car periods and five Full Course Yellow interruptions, demanding exceptional adaptability from all competitors.

Strategic Pitstop Decisively Secures the Lead

A pivotal moment arrived during the final pitstop sequence when Milesi opted for a swift two-tire change, a contrast to the four-tire strategy employed by the leading #93 Peugeot 9X8 and the #6 Penske Porsche 963. This bold decision granted him a crucial advantage, propelling the Alpine into a clear lead of almost eight seconds upon rejoining the track. Milesi then expertly extended this lead to eleven seconds in the closing hour, cementing their victory.

From Setback to Success: Alpine's Resilient Performance

Early in the race, Alpine's prospects seemed uncertain after Habsburg incurred a penalty for contact with the #8 Toyota GR010 HYBRID LMH, necessitating a nose change during the first pitstop. However, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience. A well-timed pitstop by Chatin, just before a Full Course Yellow transformed into a full safety car period, proved to be instrumental in their recovery and ascent through the ranks.

Intense Battles and Penalties Shape the Final Hour

Following the safety car period, Chatin held second place behind the Peugeot, but soon ceded position to a hard-charging Estre in the Porsche. Nevertheless, the Porsche later received a five-second penalty for a pitstop infraction, relegating it to third place in the final hour. Vanthoor, in the Porsche, relentlessly pursued Jensen's Peugeot, ultimately crossing the finish line a mere half-second behind, securing third place.

Porsche Strengthens Championship Bid, Ferrari Struggles

The strong performance by both Penske Porsches, with Mathieu Jaminet and Julien Andlauer securing fourth, significantly boosted Porsche's standing in the manufacturers' championship, keeping the title race alive ahead of the Bahrain finale. In contrast, Ferrari experienced a challenging day, with its drivers' points leaders failing to score. The #51 factory AF Corse 499P LMH, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, only managed to secure an eleventh-place finish, earning a single point for the team. Their race was marred by damage from a collision with a customer Porsche and two penalties for track limit violations.

Other Noteworthy Performances in the Hypercar Category

Stoffel Vandoorne, along with Loic Duval and Malthe Jakobsen, expertly navigated the second Peugeot to a fifth-place finish in the final hour. Aston Martin's #009 entry, shared by Marco Sorensen and Alex Riberas, secured sixth place after a mixed performance from their Valkyrie LMHs. The Jota Cadillac team, with Alex Lynn, Will Stevens, and Norman Nato in the #12 V-Series.R LMDh, finished seventh, having led early on before neutralizations impacted their advantage. The #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID LMH, driven by Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries, and Mike Conway, secured eighth place, followed by the #20 WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh. Le Mans winners Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson in the #83 customer AF Ferrari finished tenth, gaining a crucial point on the #51 car's drivers in the standings.

LMGT3 Category Sees TF Sport Emerge Victorious

In the LMGT3 class, TF Sport's Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, driven by Charlie Eastwood, Rui Andrade, and Tom van Rompuy, clinched the victory. Despite Eastwood crossing the line second, a five-second penalty for the #21 AF Ferrari 296 GT3 for a pitstop infringement elevated the TF Sport entry to first place in its class.

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