Alex Marquez has officially taken the lead in the MotoGP championship after his brother, former standings leader Marc Marquez, was forced to retire following a dramatic crash at Turn 4 of the Circuit of the Americas.

Despite not winning the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, the younger Marquez now sits atop the championship leaderboard by a single point. However, his path to the top was anything but easy.

“It was a race where I struggled a lot, the worst one of the year, but I knew that here I had to suffer more than Marc and Pecco, who were stronger here,” Alex admitted in an interview with DAZN after the race. “There’s a lot of braking on this track, and in those areas, I struggled a bit more.”

Even though he faced difficulties, Alex managed to finish second, a result that was crucial in propelling him into the championship lead. Reflecting on his performance, he added, “Yes, we finished second, but if Marc had stayed in the race, it would have been a different podium. That kind of consistency is what we need to maintain throughout the entire year. It’s the stability we must strive for.”

Alex was also quick to acknowledge the growing competition within the field. “Of course, there will be riders getting closer, like ‘Diggia’ and factory riders, along with others who will step up their game. We are here, not making too much noise, with the bike and team we have, but I think we are doing a very good job.”

His calm and calculated approach to the season seems to be paying off, as he now finds himself in an unexpected but favorable position at the top of the championship standings. However, despite his newfound leadership, he remains grounded and realistic about what’s ahead.

When asked about his emotions after claiming the lead, Alex expressed both surprise and satisfaction. “If you had told me before the first race, ‘You will be leading the championship,’ I would have said, ‘You’re crazy!’” he admitted with a smile.

His ability to consistently finish in second place has been a defining factor in his rise to the top, something he is embracing rather than viewing as a shortcoming. “We are ‘Mr. P2,’ but I’m happy with that! I have no problem taking P2 from here until the end of the season.”

With the championship lead now in his hands, Alex is determined to maintain his momentum and keep pushing forward. “We need to enjoy this moment. We know what we have, and we need to approach every race as we have been, trying to extract 100% of our potential. I will try to continue in this way.”

The dramatic events at COTA have not only shaken up the championship standings but also raised questions about how Marc Marquez will respond to this setback. The former leader’s crash was a costly one, both in terms of championship points and psychological impact. While Marc has admitted his mistake, he will undoubtedly be eager to reclaim his position at the top as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Alex Marquez is now experiencing what it feels like to be in the spotlight, leading the MotoGP championship for the first time in his career. Whether he can maintain this form and withstand the pressure from both his brother and the rest of the field remains to be seen, but for now, he is savoring the moment.

With more races ahead and the competition growing fiercer, the battle for the 2025 MotoGP title is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent history. All eyes will be on the Marquez brothers as they continue to fight for supremacy on the track, but for now, it is Alex who holds the upper hand.