Marcos Ramírez (WorldSSP): "I believe we'll be able to fight for the podium"

After the (controversial) events that left him out of the Moto2 World Championship at the end of 2025, Marcos Ramírez has embraced a new challenge for the 2026 season: taking the QJMOTOR Factory Racing Team to the top in the FIM Supersport World Championship.

After scoring two wins and six additional podiums in Moto3 (where he finished third in the championship in 2019) and two podiums in Moto2 as well, Ramírez was signed by the Chinese manufacturer’s team as a teammate to Raffaele De Rosa. This marks the Spanish rider's return to the WorldSSP for the first time since 2015, when he began the season with the CAT Bike Exit team and then took part in a few more rounds as a substitute with the Lorini Honda team or as a wildcard with the Pastrana Racing team. “Capitán Andalucía” then embarked on an important journey in the MotoGP universe , which is now followed by this new chapter in his racing career.

Palmen in Motorradsport had the chance to interview Marcos Ramírez during the Assen round, where they had an enjoyable conversation about past, present, and future.

Marcos, how does it feel to return to the WorldSBK paddock?

It’s a great opportunity. I had already raced in World Supersport back in 2015, but in the end it was only for a few sporadic races and I didn’t know this paddock really well. Now I’m coming back with this new challenge. We are all very motivated and we want to make progress and achieve the best possible results.

What's your goal for this season?

When I came here, I didn’t think too much about it. For sure, one goal could be to improve the results achieved by the team last year. However, seeing my potential and the potential of this motorcycle, I believe that soon we will also be able to fight for the top positions and the podium. We are still missing track time compared to the other teams, but I think we will soon be at the front.

You had already raced in the Supersport World Championship in 2015. What can you share about those races and that season in general?

I was just a kid and in those races I felt like that, a kid, compared to the other riders. Now I feel I am at the same level as they are and I can be very strong in this class. From back then, I remember I struggled to score points, but in the end I managed to get some in the races I did as a replacement rider with the Lorini Honda team, and in the wildcard I had with the Pastrana Racing team. If I think about that year and compare to who I am today, I feel much more like a rider now than back then.

Before moving to Supersport in 2015, you raced and had great results in the CEV Moto3 and also in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Why did you switch to Supersport at that time, instead of continuing towards the Moto3 World Championship?

Everything looked very promising and I was supposed to make the jump to the Moto3 World Championship soon. However, the team I was racing with in CEV, instead of helping, actually went against me and even sacked me. And don't forget that, in 2013, I lost the title to Fabio Quartararo by just one point...

At that moment, I didn’t have a ride, so I considered all possible options and raced wherever I could. In fact, 2015 was a transition year: I also competed in the Spanish championship (now ESBK, back then CEV RFME, ed), racing in both 600cc and 1000cc categories in the same weekend. Then, I raced in the world championship as a wildcard or replacement rider…I did everything I could!

In 2016, Leopard Racing gave me another opportunity to race in the CEV Moto3 series. I finished second again with them, and midway through the season a team (Platinum Bay Real Estate, naming of the World Wide Race team in 2016, ed) believed in me and called me to replace another rider (Karel Hanika, ed). Then, in 2017, I truly began my adventure in the Moto3 World Championship.

What can you share about your season in the Moto3 WC?

It’s a very competitive and fun class. I got podiums, won races, and finished third in the standings in 2019, before moving up to Moto2. Those were three intense years, which I really enjoyed. I especially remember when, in my first full season in the world championship, I fought for the win until the final corner at Jerez, my home track (Marcos is from Conil de la Frontera, 60 km away from the circuit ed). In the end I finished fourth, but for me it was an amazing race.

You also got two wins. What's your favourite one?

When I won in Montmeló in 2019. A rider's first victory in the world championship is always special, and it gave me huge relief. It’s something you work incredibly hard for, and a dream that comes true.

Then you moved up to Moto2, where you had some ups and downs.

For me, it’s the most difficult class. The level is kind of equal in the whole field, and when you’re just one second off the leader, you’re already 27th. As for me, I didn’t have great opportunities: some teams are more competitive than others, and I never had the chance to race with any of them. I had some good years and good races, and even made it onto the podium. But then I had to leave that championship, and not for my own choice.

Is there a memory from your Moto2 years, that you hold particularly close to your heart?

My first podium in the class, when I finished third in Malaysia in 2023. I was really happy: in the previous days I didn’t know if I would stay in Moto2, and that podium helped me remain there. Moreover, the riders who finished first, second, and fourth in that race (Fermín Aldeguer, Pedro Acosta, and Ai Ogura, ed) are now all in MotoGP. And well…Each person has its own destiny!

Do you ever think about the fact that you’ve raced against, and even beaten, riders who are now in MotoGP, but you didn’t get there?

At our level, everyone is strong. There are no slow riders. Not all talented riders make it to MotoGP though: some do, and some maybe even stronger ones don’t. It always happens, because it doesn’t depend only on the rider: there are many factors. From the outside, people can say whatever they want, but we are talking about riders who are all at an incredible level. People might think we just ride motorcycles, but it’s not like that. We risk our lives, we do what we love, and we would give up everything to race.

How do you find the WorldSBK paddock, compared to the MotoGP one?

It’s different, cozier and friendlier. The MotoGP paddock is a bit “boring”, because between sessions there isn’t much stuff to do and there’s more distance between the riders and the spectators. The WorldSBK paddock is more open and more familiar, and I like that it’s easier for fans to meet riders and get autographs. I enjoy it: I’m not a rider who gets stressed with such things.

Looking at the future, do you want to build a new phase of your career in the WorldSBK, or you don't rule out a return to the "MotoGP world"?

I’m always open to any scenario, because anything can happen in life. Last year I had several offers to stay in Moto2, and instead I ended up out of it. Everything can change from one day to the next, so I’m always ready for anything. What I do know for sure is that I will always choose what’s best for me and what I enjoy the most, because it’s important to enjoy racing and not just suffer.

What helped you get through the difficult moments you experienced?

I just don't give up. When faced with difficulties, I’ve always kept going, no matter what happened. I continue to train and prepare myself at best in every situation. In life you have to learn from many things, including your own mistakes as well as other people's mistakes. You must never lose hope.

Taking a step back, how did your career begin?

At the age of two, I started on a quad that my father bought me, as he’s a big motorbike enthusiast. Then I moved on to motocross and later tried pocket bikes, where I realized I was performing better than on a motocross. From there I followed a great path, from Andalusia to the main championships in Span, all the way to the world stage.

What has been your best season so far?

With no doubt I say 2019, when I finished third in the Moto3 World Championship. For me, that was the best one.

To conclude, here is the “Thank You Moment”. Who are you particularly grateful to?

I always thank my parents, because they’ve always been there in both the good times and the difficult ones. They’ve supported me at every moment, they’ve suffered with me during the tough times, and they continue to stand by my side in every situation, whether good or bad.

Palmen in Motorradsport thanks Marcos Ramírez for his availability and the QJMOTOR Factory Racing Team for making the interview possible. Best wishes to Ramírez and the team for the upcoming races and seasons.

Qui l'articolo in italiano.