Many people have noticed that Marquez has undergone a physical transformation, with some even calling it a dramatic change. That’s why they believe it could be the key to him winning the MotoGP title this year.

Marquez started the season with impressive results in Buriram, as he dominated almost the entire weekend. This triumph, however, was also historic—Marquez became the first factory Ducati rider to win on debut since Casey Stoner’s 2007 title-winning season.

But beyond these results, there is something noticeably different about Marquez. Observers have pointed out that he is leaner and sharper than ever before.

TNT Sports’ Suzi Perry was the first to publicly highlight it: “He’s lost weight. Look at his cheekbones—you could cut paper on them, they are razor-sharp. And he had no weight to lose! He’s dropped three kilos.”

MotoGP analyst Neil Hodgson confirmed that Marquez has sacrificed muscle mass, but for a strategic reason. “He was already at single-figure body fat, like many riders. But after testing the 2025 bike—a significant jump from the 2023 model he was riding—his first reaction was that it was easier to handle. With the updated 2024 engine, the bike is less physically demanding, allowing him to shed muscle and become more aerodynamic. And in MotoGP, power-to-weight ratio is everything.”

Adding to the discussion, Sylvain Guintoli provided another perspective: “Less muscle means better fuel consumption and improved aerodynamics. On last year’s bike, you could see he was muscling it around, tense and fighting it. This year, on the factory Ducati, his body language is completely different—he looks more relaxed, his head position lower, more comfortable.”

This has sparked the ‘Marquez theory’—could the second-oldest rider on the 2025 grid, now armed with the most competitive bike, win the title? If Buriram is anything to go by, his weight loss and refined riding style could make him a serious contender for his ninth world title.

Could this be the year he returns to the top?