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Neil Hodgson column: My 2025 MotoGP season awards - Moment of the Year, Surprise of the Year and my predictions for 2026
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Updated 16/11/2025 at 11:43 GMT
TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson is here with the third instalment of a three-part awards series as he looks back at the standout moments and riders of the 2025 MotoGP season, with one eye on the coming action in 2026. Hodgson names his Moment of the Year and Surprise of the Year. He then picks out what will make the coming season one of the most intriguing in recent years.
Highlights: Fernandez storms to maiden win at Grand Prix Australia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Neil Hodgson is providing expert insight to TNT Sports throughout the MotoGP season.
In his latest column, he shares his thoughts on the highlights and standout moments and riders of the year.
You can read Friday's column, including Rider of the Year and Disappointment of the Year here.
Saturday's column, naming the Race of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Hard Charger of the Year, is here.
You can vote in every single award here.
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Moment of the Year
Looking back at the moments of the year, it’s almost impossible to look past the celebrations for and from Marc Marquez.
It underlined, with a big, thick marker, that the story of his comeback was complete. The doubts were cast aside, and once he became world champion, it could no longer be denied that he was at the top, not just of his game, but of the sport as a whole. He was world-class again.
We knew the story already, of course, and we’ve talked about it year after year now. But that was speculation. Once he won, we saw in the images everything that had been part of the build-up and anticipation for it all.
You see how violent the crash was in 2020. You see the damage that was done to his body, the post-surgery pictures, and the whole story is one of so many emotions. When he sat down and watched the celebratory images, it was overwhelming for everyone involved. It was beautiful, and it was something that only this sport can make you feel. It was just a really special moment.
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Highlights: Marc Marquez claims title in Japan after Bagnaia victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Surprise of the Year
For me, Alex Marquez has been the surprise of the year. We all knew he had talent, but nobody had him as the second-best in the world at the start of the season.
When he finished second in the first two races, we were all enjoying the novelty, and we didn’t know it was a sign of things to come.
It was such a thrill to see two brothers up there on the podium, celebrating. It must have been a great experience for them both, and little did we know that Alex would be as competitive and consistent as he ever had been. He finished second, but he didn’t just do it in the last round, he was almost nailed-on halfway through the season that he’d be at least at No. 2. Apart from his brother, he has destroyed the rest of the racers.
He’s won five races if you include sprints. That’s an incredible season. I wasn’t sure he would win any before the season started, but he showed his quality and his improvement to move up from just getting onto the podium. He’s been a real surprise. And for all his talent, he’s one of the really nice riders, he’s down to Earth, a normal guy.
I think he has to be seen as the main challenger to his brother next year, which might surprise other people. I think he is still underrated, but Ducati are going to give him the latest spec bike. They’re skipping 2025. I think that Ducati have learned so much from the 2025 package struggle that they’re going to make the 2026 package a huge step-up, and that’s only going to help Alex compete. He’ll be the main threat once again.
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Highlights: Marquez overcomes Acosta in thriller to clinch Portugal Grand Prix Sprint race
Video credit: TNT Sports
Prediction of the Year
I have to end the year by saying just how excited I am for 2026. The talent, the calendar, the new bikes - that will all be part of what could be a classic campaign ahead of us.
But adding another layer of intrigue is that it is contract year for pretty much everyone. I think we’re going to see two big moves early which could have huge implications.
- Marquez missing testing could have 'huge implications' on 2026 season - Hodgson column
- Hodgson column: New season starts now, but can Bagnaia become Marquez's main rival?
I think we will see Pedro Acosta leave KTM after he has impressed on a bike that is holding him back, and it’s the same situation for Fabio Quartararo at Yamaha. What makes it so fascinating is that we can’t be sure where they might end up, because they could be in demand from every single team in the paddock. It could be a huge subject.
Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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