The match point at Misano slipped away by three points. At best, in fact, Marc could get to +219 over his brother, and that would not be enough for him with six more Grands Prix to go.
In fact, the elder of the brothers never even thought about it or hoped for it. It was just a game, fomented (especially by the Spanish) by the opportunity to celebrate a 9th title at Valentino's home circuit. An afterthought that, however, Marc personally never had.
Indeed, the beauty of this virtually already assigned world championship that is about to go down in history is the relationship between the two brothers. Marc is only four years older than Alex, but he has towards him the affectionate protectiveness proper to older brothers.
Beyond the usual talk of oversteer and understeer, worn tyres, aerodynamics, and riding styles, Marc surprised us today with a tender memory of childhood and early adolescence alongside Alex: "We used to train together, we always trained together, and he was the smaller one, and I was the bigger one, stronger and faster. That's why Alex always struggled more than me. He used to train harder. He was suffering more. Until now for him having the same last name has been a disadvantage. Maybe he has a whisker less talent, but talent alone doesn't make a difference if you don't work on it. And Alex is the one who works the hardest."
More than warring brothers: these two, who according to Marc make up for each other as far as speed is concerned: "we have different styles and he is fast where I am slow and vice versa", form a practically perfect pair, and Marc Marquez, citing the last four world champions, Mir, Quartararo, Bagnaia and Martin, made it clear that a world title in the top category is deserved by him as well.
And this leads us to anticipate the future, which is already being written thanks to the fact that in 2027 we will have a new MotoGP with reduced displacement, but in the meantime at a stone's throw we are already in 2026: what should we expect from Ducati in the coming year?
While it is true that the role of Pramac has officially been given to the VR46 team, complete with a GP25 entrusted to Di Giannantonio, we have no idea what is written in the contract that binds the Borgo Panigale manufacturer to the Tavullia stable, but it seems to us completely unlikely that the Gresini team, which has been firmly in the official team's slipstream for two years, will not receive equal treatment.
More than 2026, however, it will be interesting to follow the rider market ahead of 2027. We will be wrong, but it will get underway very soon. With only two riders currently already contracted, Johann Zarco and Toprak Razgatlioglu (and possibly Diogo Moreira), virtually all the factory teams have their main positions open. A golden opportunity for everyone, perhaps less so for Ducati since it will have to deal with the eventual renewal of two big guns, with good back-ups on the market.
What is certain is that for some renewing upwards will be difficult, in the team to which they belong. This will lead to some instability whose consequence will be rather early signings. First come, first served, as the Brits say.
Who knows if the two brothers, who besides running together also have a company, Vertical, together, will offer themselves as a package. Two in one. At the contract supermarket it could be a very good offer.