The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez is always a special event for local riders, and this year, it became even more unforgettable thanks to a bold and emotional tribute by Alex Marquez. As he rounded the final corners of the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, holding a clear lead over Fabio Quartararo, Marquez made a gesture that caught the attention of fans and even raised eyebrows within his own team. With just seconds left in the race, he waved to the passionate crowd packed into the hillside stadium section—an audacious move that left many both thrilled and surprised.
The gesture was more than a spontaneous moment of celebration; it was a dream fulfilled. Speaking after the race, Marquez explained that he had long envisioned this exact scene. The inspiration dated back to 2011, when MotoGP legend Jorge Lorenzo pulled off the same move after winning the Spanish GP at Jerez. At the time, Marquez was still coming up through the ranks, but the image of Lorenzo waving to the fans etched itself into his mind.
“I was in Moto3, or maybe I wasn’t even racing in the world championship yet,” Marquez recalled. “But I remember seeing Lorenzo do that, and I thought to myself, ‘If I ever get the chance to lead into the final corners at Jerez, I want to do that too.’”
He had a similar opportunity back in 2017, during his first win in Moto2, but fear held him back. “In Moto2, I had a really big gap in one race, but I didn’t have the balls to do it,” he admitted with a laugh. “It just felt too risky at the time.”
This time, however, the stars aligned. Marquez had a comfortable lead, the home crowd was roaring, and he felt the moment was simply too perfect to let slip by. “This time I said, ‘I have to do it. This opportunity may not come again in my life.’ So I did. The crowd deserved it, and it was a really nice moment.”
Not everyone shared his excitement in the immediate aftermath, though. His team was quick to question the move, asking why he risked the win with such a bold gesture so close to the finish. “The team didn’t like it,” he joked. “They already said to me, ‘Why did you do that with your hand?’”
Despite the internal criticism, fans and many in the MotoGP community applauded Marquez’s tribute. It was a powerful reminder of the deep emotional connection between riders and the Spanish fans, particularly at Jerez, a circuit steeped in history and national pride. It also underscored how much it means for a Spanish rider to win at home—not just in terms of career success, but also personal dreams and memories.
Alex Marquez’s celebration wasn’t just a show of confidence—it was the realization of a long-held ambition, a symbolic passing of the torch from one Spanish hero to another, and a moment that will be replayed in highlight reels for years to come. For Marquez, it wasn’t about bravado. It was about honoring a childhood idol, seizing a rare moment, and giving back to the crowd that’s supported him every step of the way.
In his own words: “The crowd deserved it.” And they did.