The rider from Gresini got the best qualifying time ever on a Ducati bike and then got his first podium finish in a thrilling 25-lap race at Jerez on Sunday.
Marquez battled with Bagnaia near the end of the race, especially at Turn 9 on laps 21 and 22.
During the first attempt, Marquez tried to pass Bagnaia, but they ended up touching each other. Bagnaia then took the lead. Marquez tried again on the next lap, but Bagnaia defended his position and won the race.
Marquez said he felt a bit stiff at the start of the race because he had crashed in a previous race and during the qualifying session.
But he was happy with how he raced against Bagnaia. He said, “It was a tight fight, even like old times. This is good, it’s racing.”
He tried to catch up to Bagnaia on the last lap, but Bagnaia was too fast. Marquez was still happy to get his first podium finish in a long time.
This was Marquez’s first podium finish since a race in Japan last year. He had told Honda that he would leave the team at the end of 2023.
Marquez is now in sixth place in the standings with 60 points, 32 behind the leader Jorge Martin, who crashed out of the race while leading on lap 11.
