Marc Marquez keeps Pedro Acosta in 2025 MotoGP title picture

Marquez acknowledging Acosta as a genuine title threat is notable precisely because he has every incentive to dismiss a direct rival. Coming from someone who reads championship dynamics as well as anyone on the grid, it's a signal that Acosta's pace is being taken seriously in the Gresini and factory camps alike. It also reflects how open the 2025 season looks at this stage — Marquez isn't conceding the fight, he's flagging that the field is genuinely competitive. For followers of the championship, that's a more honest read of the standings than most riders tend to offer publicly.