Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics

By:

Lewis Duncan

Feb 20, 2021, 10:51 AM

Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells LEWIS DUNCAN...

Subscribe to PLUS Sign in

Few gave Alex Marquez much of a chance ahead of his MotoGP debut last season. After all, he was stepping up to the factory Honda squad - a notoriously difficult bike in a high-pressure surrounding - and partnering his six-time world champion record-smashing brother Marc. When the move was announced in November of 2019, some - including this writer - worried it could seriously destabilise the younger Marquez's career.

And that wasn't a thought without merit. The bike Marquez was inheriting was one that only his brother could win a race on in 2019, and had effectively ended triple world champion Jorge Lorenzo's career.

comments

Lewis Duncan

Twitter

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.