Alex Marquez: Factory contract with KTM was my main goal

Alex Marquez has revealed that the chance to return to a factory team was the primary reason he accepted KTM's offer, leaving Gresini to start a new chapter in his career next year. The Spanish rider, who finished runner-up in last year's championship, emphasized that a factory contract was his main objective, especially approaching the new technical regulations and tire era in 2027.

“It was my goal. Last year when I finished as vice-champion and had a really good season with many points, I simply set the goal of becoming a factory rider,” Marquez explained. He highlighted KTM's interest, saying that it will be crucial to receive all updates with the new rules. “That's why I said: we need a factory contract, but especially a factory team. And KTM came directly to me and said: we need you, we want you, and we want you in our project.”

Marquez acknowledged that financial aspects were not decisive. “The priority was the project, the people involved, and also my dream of being a factory rider in a factory team.”

However, the decision to leave Gresini, where he rebuilt his career after a difficult period with Honda, was not easy. “I am sad to leave Gresini,” he admitted. “When it was time to sign the contract with KTM, I spoke every day with team boss Nadia Padovani on the phone and tried to explain everything.” He added that he had given her a promise last November: “I said: when the first factory offer comes to me, I will explain it to you directly. She was sad, but at that moment she was super happy for me because she told me: you deserve it.”