Doohan praises Marc Marquez: "Shows what a champion he is"

– For Mick Doohan, Marc Marquez’s story is far more than just a sporting comeback. In an interview with Marca, the Australian finds clear words for the Spaniard’s extraordinary return – and particularly emphasizes his mental strength on his way back to the top.

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“What Marc has been through, the way he has recovered from his injury, is incredible,” says Doohan. It’s not just about the injury itself, but about the long phase of rehabilitation and the many setbacks.

Doohan makes it clear that Marquez’s situation is hardly comparable. While he himself had time to recover after his serious leg injury in 1992, Marquez was repeatedly confronted with problems over the years. “Only Marc knows how difficult this process really was.”

Mental Strength as a Key Factor

For Doohan, the key to a successful comeback clearly lies in the mind. Marquez managed not to lose focus even in the most difficult phases.

“That shows what a true champion he is,” he explains. He is particularly impressed that Marquez also thought long-term even when it was clear that the title was out of reach. Instead of short-term successes, he planned the way back to his old strength.

Photo gallery: The ordeal of MotoGP star Marc Marquez

Doohan does not mince words when describing the mental burden: “He has overcome barriers of pain and doubt.” Self-doubt, dark phases, and difficult decisions have shaped this path. “He certainly had many dark days, months, and years,” says Doohan.

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He values Marquez’s consistency all the more: “He made the right decisions – another sign that he is a true champion.”

Rocky Road Back to Dominance

Doohan sees Marquez’s return to the top field after all this as a logical consequence of this mental strength. Especially after the manufacturer change, the Spaniard showed that he has lost none of his class. In his second year on the Ducati, he acted “on another level.”

“What he did was legendary – even for people who are not motorsport fans,” Doohan summarizes. For him, Marquez’s comeback is an achievement that has great appeal beyond the sport. That’s why he also considers the Spaniard’s nomination for the Laureus Award to be appropriate.

“I would like to see him win. In my opinion, he deserves it this year,” says Doohan. Marquez has earned this recognition not only through his successes but above all through his extraordinary journey back.

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