Don’t Call It A Comeback…’cause It Wasn’t
Jorge Martin’s return to racing win Qatar was short-lived. The reigning world champion has been sidelined with pre-season injuries and though fans applauded his reentry in Saturday night’s sprint race, his showing at Sunday’s Grand Prix quickly turned to collective moans as he collided with another rider. With fractured ribs and an extended hospital stay in Doha, the only road Martin is on is the one to recovery. So what does recovery mode look like when you’re adding injuries to existing injuries? How do you heal from this setback? It is unlikely that we will see him ride an Aprilia until he heals completely. Fans want him back and no rider wants their last race to be their last race, especially when it ends in a crash. Martin is lucky in many ways, mainly because he gets to wake up and decide how he wants to move forward. With recovery his default setting of late, that may be his best weapon, yet.
Out front on Sunday’s MotoGP race was none other than Maverick Vinales on a KTM. He overtook podium constant Marc Marquez in an incredible turn and was well on his way to winning in Qatar. Vinales has been lauded a brilliant rider for managing bikes that have been less than. He has also proved that all stars must align for him to perform at optimal level. If inconsistency was the metric for Gold metal, Vinales would dominate every time. His performance in Qatar was good enough to secure a podium finish for a team with low expectations. A finish that would be later lowered to 14th place because of a tyre pressure penalty. Vinales assured fans he was not disappointed with the drop in standings. He seemed content to be a contender the he was counted out. Vinales’ reaction to the loss once again confirms his uncharacteristic character. Where audiences would sometimes see a volatile misunderstood rider and other times a stoic being, this week he has shown some of his cards. He is one to watch. He is not to be ignored. He will double down to win and also retreat gif one element of the formula is off. His inconsistency is consistent. When he’s off, he’s merely good, but when he’s on, he’s a threat. It keeps fans coming back to see what he will do next.
With experience on his side, there are only a few things Marc Marquez is achieving right now that he hasn't before. The 6-time MotoGP champion has dominated podiums constantly and consistently. At 32, the second oldest rider in MotoGP, an issue return from injuries in 2023, some would argue that his best years were behind him. However, Marquez who often sees a gap that no one else does is clocking new records in this 2025 season. He has won all four Sprint races and secured his third Sunday win in four races. As “Batman” to younger brother Alex’s “Robyn” in previous races, he proved that not even a collision between the two in Qatar would deter his fight for win across the finish line. What sets Marquez apart from other riders is wisdom and that wisdom comes with age. He has won consecutive races in his career. What is new is he is winning consecutive races at 32. He knows how to win at any age, riding with tactical and technical experience, to determine when to lay low or make a scene. The disadvantage of Marquez as an opponent is that you can’t beat his age, wisdom, and experience. With that trifecta he has found another gear. So how do you defeat him? Other riders may need to work similarly but determine where those critical elements can be stripped away. Will finding another gear mean leading with mental acuity or physical dominance? With a 12-year difference between Marquez and MotoGP’s youngest rider, Pedro Acosta, age is more that a number, but with youth and agility, age cannot consistently win.
-P. D. Daly