Why Schwantz sees himself in Marquez in MotoGP

Motorcycle racing legend Kevin Schwantz says he recognises some of himself in Ducati star Marc Marquez after the latter's incredible title-winning run in the 2025 MotoGP season.

Parallels have been drawn between the two riders, both of whom forged reputations for outperforming their machinery. Just as Schwantz made his name on a 500cc Suzuki that wasn’t necessarily the class of the field, Marquez spent long periods of his career as the only rider who could tame Honda’s MotoGP challenger. Each rider also battled with injuries during their careers.

Marquez’s latest world title, which he sealed in Japan with five rounds to go, was a triumph over adversity in that regard. Not only did he have four tough years battling the effects of his Jerez 2020 crash aboard the uncompetitive Honda, he then switched manufacturers for 2024. The move to Ducati proved to be the right call, culminating in his first title since 2019.

In an interview with GPOne, 1993 500cc world champion Schwantz said he understood Marquez’s journey only too well.

“Yes, I see myself reflected in him,” said the American. “When he left [Honda], everyone understood how badly the brand was doing and how he made up for it all with his talent. With Suzuki, it was similar [for me]: some riders were competitive, but no one could win right away.

“It’s difficult to leave the team you started with. I never did, but I understand his decision. After everything that happened with the injury, it would have been easy to quit. Instead, he kept going, and that says everything about his spirit.

“Pushing hard is in our DNA: sometimes it works, sometimes you fall because of it... but that’s who we are.”

World champion Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Ducati Corse

Schwantz added that Marc’s brother Alex Marquez had played a key role in keeping him going. The pair were team-mates at Gresini in Marc’s first Ducati season, before Marc moved to the factory team.

“I think his brother Alex helped him a lot, giving him a point of reference during his rehabilitation. Now, he’s proving his worth, making this season almost ‘easy’,” he said.

While the Marquez family enjoyed a perfect 2025, with the brothers finishing first and second in the championship, Marc’s team-mate Francesco Bagnaia has battled in the shadow of his illustrious new colleague. Like most observers, Schwantz couldn’t offer a complete explanation.

"Bagnaia has had a difficult season, although he has won races," he said. "It’s hard to understand from the outside, with all the electronics, tyres and aerodynamics nowadays. If you go too slow, the tyre cools down and you crash. It’s a different world.”

Reflecting further on his own career, Schwantz said having a mechanical disadvantage had its perks: “Racing with the fastest bike would have been boring!

“I liked having to come up with a strategy, finding places to overtake. My Suzuki wasn’t always the fastest, but it was competitive. In 1989, it was strong but fragile. In 1993, everything finally came together: reliability, consistency, performance... you didn’t need top speed, just intelligence and courage.”

Wayne Rainey, Yamaha, Kevin Schwantz, Suzuki

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Victory in such circumstances came with an extra serving of satisfaction for Schwantz, who admits his need for speed is still there.  

“Of course. I only go to the track at Suzuki events, where everything is controlled. I don’t want someone who tries to overtake me to say they’ve done it!

“But I still love the feeling of pushing, like when you’re riding the GSX-8 at Misano at full throttle, and you feel your heart beating like it used to. Racing was a necessity; the desire to fight.

“Winning was great, but the best thing was coming back to the pits and seeing the team’s joy. I liked winning for them. All the risk was worth that collective happiness.”