Why Marc Marquez chose Madrid over Andorra in MotoGP
Marc Marquez lives in Madrid—not Andorra—because he prioritizes racetrack performance over tax savings. The MotoGP champion says that since his injury he needs physios, specialized machines, and a strong Madrid training center more than the low-tax, high-altitude lifestyle many Spanish rivals prefer in the Pyrenees.
Key Takeaways
- Marquez stays based in Spain—now Madrid—while many Spanish MotoGP peers favor Andorra for taxes and altitude training.
- He tried living in Andorra at age 22 in 2015 but lasted only two months before choosing home.
- Since his injury, he relies on physios, specialized equipment, and a Madrid medical-training setup.
- He says he earns enough that paying Spanish taxes still leaves him comfortable, and freedom means living where he wants.
Why did Marc Marquez skip Andorra for Madrid?
Asked at the German MotoGP about living in Spain instead of Andorra, the Ducati factory rider was clear: he respects others’ choices, but he feels free only when he lives where he wants. Money helps—he admits high earnings mean taxes still leave him with plenty—but it is not the decisive factor.
“I feel well in Spain, and I want to live where I feel that can give me the maximum to perform well on the circuit,” Marquez said, according to Crash.net. For him, residence is a performance tool, not a tax strategy.
How did injury change where he lives?
Early in his career, Marquez stayed in his hometown of Cervera. He was relaxed then and did not need physiotherapists or special machines. That changed after serious injuries in recent years. SPEEDWEEK notes the 2020 Jerez crash reshaped his daily routine.
“Since the injury, I need special machines, I need physios, I need different kind of training, and then I move to Madrid because I found there a good team and a good center,” he explained. The eight-time world champion frames Madrid as the place that best supports track performance.
Did Marquez ever try Andorra?
Yes—briefly. In a January La Sexta interview cited by Crash.net, he said he has paid taxes in Spain throughout his sporting career and owns a house in Andorra. Cervera is about an hour from the border, so Andorra was familiar from shopping trips, weekends, and training.
At 22 he bought a second home there for skis and gear, then tried staying longer one winter as more riders moved for lower taxes. He lasted two months in a row and decided: Spain and home. He stresses he is not sending a political message—he conveys messages on the bike—and is aware of where taxes go and where they do not.
Andorra’s draw for many Spanish riders remains real: mountain altitude training, relative seclusion, and a lower-tax environment often compared to Formula 1 drivers choosing Monaco. Marquez simply ranked recovery infrastructure and feeling at home higher. For more high-performance and recovery-minded coverage, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.