The 2025 MotoGP season has been defined by the resurgence of Marc Marquez, who is on the verge of securing another world championship in one of the most extraordinary comeback stories in motorsport history. After years of injury setbacks and uncertainty, the Spanish rider has returned to dominate the grid, and his performances have not only stunned fans but also earned the respect of his peers. Among those peers is Jack Miller, who has openly praised Marquez’s relentless drive and remarkable resilience.

Marquez’s story since his 2020 crash at Jerez is nothing short of inspirational. Many doubted whether he could ever return to the same level after suffering multiple injuries, surgeries, and a stint on underperforming machinery. But in 2025, racing for Ducati, Marquez has rewritten the narrative by stringing together one of the most dominant seasons in MotoGP history. With 25 wins and a commanding lead in the standings, he has silenced doubters and reminded the world why he is considered one of the greatest of all time.

From Jerez Heartbreak to Ducati Glory

Marquez’s troubles began in July 2020, when a horrifying crash at Jerez nearly ended his career. The broken humerus, multiple surgeries, and recurring complications left him sidelined for much of the following seasons. Just as he began to rebuild, another crash in Indonesia in 2022 added to his woes. Compounding his misfortune was Honda’s decline in competitiveness, leaving him unable to fight consistently at the front.

By 2024, Marquez made the bold decision to part ways with Honda after over a decade of history and six world titles together. He joined Gresini Ducati, where he rediscovered his confidence. Remarkably, Marquez agreed to ride for free during his first year with Gresini, signaling his determination to focus solely on performance rather than financial gain. That gamble paid off — three race victories and a third-place finish in the championship restored belief in his capabilities.

In 2025, Marquez made another seismic move by joining the factory Ducati team, rejecting Jorge Martin’s aspirations for the same seat. It has proven to be the turning point of his career revival. Now, with Ducati’s machinery and his unyielding determination, Marquez has produced a season that rivals the most dominant campaigns in MotoGP history.

Jack Miller on What Makes Marquez’s Return Special

Jack Miller, now riding for Pramac Racing, has been one of the most candid voices in the paddock when it comes to assessing fellow riders. On the Oxley Bom Podcast, Miller expressed his admiration for Marquez’s comeback, describing it as both “impressive” and “inspirational.”

“I don’t even think the success or the money played into the fact of it, that’s a bonus,” Miller explained. “At the end of the day, he’s a motorcycle racer. For sure, it may seem easier to throw the towel in, but I don’t think that was ever on his mind. He was just wrapping his brain on how to get better, how to make his arm work properly and also to get on the right machine.”

Miller emphasized that what impressed him most was Marquez’s refusal to give up, even when retirement might have seemed like the easier option. Instead of walking away, Marquez committed to rebuilding his body, refining his style, and finding a team capable of giving him the tools to compete. “He’s been able to put in two years of hard graft to get that bike and to get the package and get his body to where it needs to be. Then I think we’re seeing the fruits of that labor now,” Miller said.

A Season of Near-Perfection

Marquez’s 2025 season has been breathtaking. With 16 wins in his last 18 races, the Spaniard has looked almost untouchable. His only major setbacks came from crashes at Austin and Jerez, but even those didn’t derail his march toward the championship. Leading the standings by nearly 200 points over his brother, Alex Marquez, Marc has all but secured his seventh MotoGP title.

His dominance has drawn comparisons to his peak years between 2013 and 2019, when he consistently outclassed the competition on Honda machinery. However, this season feels even more remarkable given the obstacles he has had to overcome. At 32, after years of injury and rehabilitation, Marquez has returned to the top with a hunger and ferocity that rivals his younger self.

Match Point at Motegi

Marquez enters the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi with a 182-point lead. To clinch the 2025 world championship, he needs only to outscore his brother Alex by three points. While he could have sealed the title at Misano, a crash in the Sprint race delayed his coronation. Now, Motegi offers him another opportunity — and the venue adds a fascinating twist to the story.

Motegi is the home circuit of Honda, the manufacturer with which Marquez won six world titles before their painful split. Winning the title there, while wearing Ducati red, would send a powerful message about both his resilience and Ducati’s rise. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has already spoken about the symbolic importance of clinching the championship in Japan, calling it a “huge statement” for the Italian brand.

Yet, even Marquez’s closest rivals recognize that the title is inevitable. Alex Marquez, who has enjoyed a strong season with Gresini, has openly admitted defeat, saying he would be happy to finish second behind his brother. It is a testament to Marc’s superiority that even his sibling and teammate-turned-rival acknowledges the mountain he has created in the standings.

Why Marquez’s Comeback Resonates

Marquez’s resurgence is more than just a sporting achievement; it is a reminder of what makes MotoGP such a compelling spectacle. His story highlights the combination of physical resilience, mental toughness, and technical mastery required to succeed at the highest level. For years, doubts lingered over whether Marquez could return to his best, but his 2025 season has silenced those doubts emphatically.

Miller’s remarks cut to the heart of why Marquez’s comeback is so compelling. Many riders might have chosen to retire after enduring such severe injuries and setbacks. Instead, Marquez chose the harder path — rebuilding his body, changing teams, and enduring two seasons of transition before reaping the rewards.

This story resonates not just with fans of MotoGP but with sports fans in general. It is about perseverance, belief, and the pursuit of excellence, no matter the obstacles.

Conclusion

As Marc Marquez closes in on the 2025 MotoGP world championship, his comeback stands as one of the greatest in motorsport history. With 25 wins already under his belt this season, he has demonstrated that age, injuries, and past failures are not enough to keep a true champion down.

For Jack Miller, what makes Marquez’s journey “impressive” is not just the results, but the mindset behind them. The refusal to give up, the willingness to put in years of effort, and the courage to start fresh with Ducati have all culminated in this remarkable season.

With match point arriving at Motegi, Marquez is poised to complete his fairytale comeback in the most fitting way possible — by conquering his former team’s home turf. Whether he seals the title in Japan or shortly after, one thing is clear: Marc Marquez’s return to the top has redefined what resilience means in MotoGP.