The 2025 MotoGP season has kicked off with a bang, and as the paddock rolls into Austin for the Grand Prix of the Americas, all eyes are on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) for what promises to be a blockbuster showdown. Marc Márquez, the undisputed king of this Texan track, has dominated the early races of the season, racking up victories in Thailand and Argentina alongside his brother Alex Márquez, who has cemented himself as a formidable contender. Yet, a new name is starting to stir the pot: Franco Morbidelli. After a stunning podium in Argentina—his first in nearly four years—the VR46 Ducati rider is showing signs of a resurgence that could spell trouble for the Márquez brothers in America. Could Morbidelli, once written off by many, be the dark horse to disrupt the sibling supremacy?
Let’s rewind to Argentina for a moment. Marc Márquez, now riding for the factory Ducati team, continued his flawless start to 2025, clinching both the sprint and the Grand Prix at Termas de Rio Hondo. Alex, aboard the Gresini Ducati, pushed his elder brother to the limit, leading much of the race before settling for second—a pattern that’s defined their season so far. But it was Morbidelli who stole the headlines on Sunday. Starting eighth, the Italian-Brazilian rider gambled on a soft rear tire, surged through the field, and overtook reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia to secure third. It was a masterclass in strategy and pace, marking his return to the podium since Jerez 2021 and silencing doubters who thought his best days were behind him. Now, as MotoGP heads to COTA, Morbidelli’s momentum is impossible to ignore.
COTA has long been Marc Márquez’s playground. Between 2013 and 2018, and again in 2021, no one could touch him here, his aggressive style and pinpoint precision perfectly suited to the track’s demanding layout. With seven wins under his belt at this venue, the eight-time world champion arrives as the man to beat, especially after his perfect 2025 record: four wins from four races so far. Alex, meanwhile, has yet to conquer COTA but has shown remarkable growth this year, consistently shadowing his brother and proving he’s more than just a supporting act. Together, the Márquez duo has turned every race into a family affair, leaving rivals scrambling to keep up. But Morbidelli’s recent form suggests he might just have the tools to crash their party.
What makes Morbidelli a threat? For starters, his performance in Argentina wasn’t a fluke. After a challenging few years with Yamaha and Pramac Ducati, his move to VR46 has revitalized him. The team, led by Valentino Rossi’s influence, has given him a bike—the year-old GP24—that he’s clearly mastered. In Argentina, he showcased not just speed but adaptability, holding off Bagnaia despite the soft tire’s late-race fade. At COTA, where tire management and early aggression are key, that experience could prove decisive. Add to that his hunger to prove a point after years in the wilderness, and you’ve got a rider with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Friday’s wet FP1 in Austin offered a tantalizing preview. Morbidelli topped the timesheets with a 2:12.531, edging out Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller and a recovering Marc Márquez, who suffered a heavy crash at Turn 2 but still finished third. The conditions were treacherous, yet Morbidelli’s composure stood out, hinting at a confidence that could translate to dry running. Marc, despite the fall, remains the favorite, but the incident—his first crash as a factory Ducati rider this season—raises a rare question: could the king of COTA be rattled? Alex, seventh in FP1, will need to step up on a track where he’s historically struggled, while Morbidelli’s pace suggests he’s ready to pounce.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. For Marc, a win would solidify his early title charge and extend his COTA legacy. For Alex, a podium—or better—would cement his status as a genuine contender. But for Morbidelli, breaking the Márquez stranglehold would be a statement: a signal that he’s back among the elite. Bagnaia, already 31 points behind Marc, can’t be discounted either, nor can VR46 teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, who’s been quietly consistent. Yet it’s Morbidelli who carries the X-factor into Sunday—a rider reborn, riding the wave of a long-awaited revival.
As the grid lines up in Austin, the Márquez brothers remain the benchmark, their sibling rivalry a spectacle in itself. But Franco Morbidelli looms large, a wildcard with the pace, the nerve, and the narrative to shake things up. Will he finally topple Marc’s Texan dynasty or push Alex off the podium? One thing’s for sure: the Americas Grand Prix is shaping up to be a thriller, and Morbidelli’s resurgence might just be the twist no one saw coming. Buckle up—this could get wild!
