In 2020, Álex Márquez was promoted to MotoGP, joining Repsol Honda. His brother, Marc, was sidelined right after the first round of the season due to severe injuries, leaving the team in a difficult situation.
Despite being a rookie, rider #73 secured two podiums – which ended up making all the difference in the final standings, preventing the team from falling behind the former Esponsorama Racing.
Three years later, Álex Márquez recalled his time with Repsol Honda, stating to DAZN that he underwent significant progress: ‘I took a small step, then they made me test many components that they had developed for [Jorge] Lorenzo, and then I took another step. The test in Misano in 2020 was key to making it «click», and I managed to secure two podiums. The evolution was very consistent. To put it plainly, that year I saved the team’s season, and it was a Repsol Honda HRC because without Marc, the results weren’t coming. A rookie, two podiums, finishing the year in the best way, a good evolution’.
In addition to making his debut, Álex had to deal with the fact that his brother suffered severe injuries, admitting it was very challenging: ‘It was a bit tough for me when he got injured, knowing it was a complicated injury and he wouldn’t be back for some time. It’s strange, having the idea of being with your brother in the box, and for me, it was also an opportunity to learn quickly. Especially when I already knew that the following year I would be at LCR, not at Repsol. That was a bit tough for me, a year that I had to enjoy, be with my brother, improve both of us, and above all, as a rookie… it was disastrous for me’.