In 2020, Álex Márquez was promoted to MotoGP, joining Repsol Honda. His brother, Marc, was sidelined from the tracks right in the first round of the season, putting the team in a difficult situation.
Even as a rookie, #73 achieved two podium finishes – which ultimately made all the difference in the final standings, preventing the Japanese team from falling behind the former Esponsorama Racing.
Three years later, Álex Márquez recalled his time at Repsol Honda, stating to DAZN that he made good progress: ‘I took a small step, then they made me test many components that had been made for [Jorge] Lorenzo and there I took another step. The test at Misano in 2020 was key to make it “click” and I managed to get two podiums. The progress was very consistent. To put it plainly, that year I saved the season for the team, and it was a Repsol Honda HRC, because without Marc the results wouldn’t come. A rookie, two podiums, ending 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 had suffered a serious injury, admitting that it was not easy: ‘It was a bit difficult for me when he got injured, when I knew it was a complicated injury and he wouldn’t be back for some time. It’s strange, you have the idea of being with your brother in the box, also for me it was an opportunity to learn quickly. Especially when I already knew that the next year I would be in LCR, not in Repsol. That was a bit difficult for me, a year that I had to enjoy, be with my brother, improve both of us and above all me as a rookie… it was disastrous for me‘.
