Marc Marquez has said that, had he remained with Honda in 2023, he believes he would have been forced into retirement. The six-time MotoGP world champion, who shocked the paddock by announcing his departure from the Japanese factory team after a decade-long association, has opened up about the challenges that led to his career move.

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Injuries and Honda's decline

Marquez’s journey with Honda began in 2013, marking the start of one of the most dominant eras in motorcycle racing history. Between 2013 and 2019, he secured six premier class titles, establishing himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

However, his trajectory took a severe hit after a brutal crash at Jerez that fractured his right humerus. What followed was a grueling period marked by repeated injuries and struggles to regain his competitive edge, mirrored by Honda’s own decline in performance.

In candid comments to Motosprint, Marquez admitted that his frustration with Honda’s bike, which he could no longer ride without crashing, was mounting. “If I hadn’t left Honda, I would have had to retire,” he confessed, highlighting the severity of his predicament. This admission sheds light on the tension and pressure within the rider’s camp as he faced the crossroads of his career.

The split with Alzamora

Marquez also reflected on another significant split in his professional life: his parting with Emilio Alzamora, the man who discovered him and guided him into the world championship. “With Alzamora, it was tough because we’d been together for so many years, and we grew even closer when I started racing in the World Championship,” Marquez said.

He credited Alzamora for his invaluable mentorship but stressed the necessity to move on before the relationship deteriorated. “It was difficult, but afterwards Alex and I forged a different path, with an eye to the future too.”

From Gresini to factory Ducati

On leaving Honda, Marquez described the decision as neither easy nor difficult but unavoidable. “I had no alternative, as if I hadn’t left Honda, I would have had to retire,” he stated.

Marquez’s pursuit of a fresh challenge led him to join Gresini Racing for 2024, riding a year-old Ducati machine. The switch revitalised his career, allowing him to rediscover his form and competitiveness. His outstanding performance earned him a factory Ducati seat in 2025, where he went on to dominate the championship with an astonishing 25 wins, including sprint races.

Looking ahead, Marquez has committed to remain with Ducati through 2026, securing his future with the team that reignited his career. He also revealed that he did engage in talks with Honda about a possible return, but nothing concrete materialised.

Marquez’s candid revelations show not only his resilience but also the brutal realities faced by even the most decorated riders when the machinery no longer matches their ambitions. His escape from Honda’s decline to Ducati’s resurgence is a defining chapter in his career, reminding the MotoGP world that even legends must sometimes make bold moves.