Marquez openly: “Not able to exploit the motorcycle’s potential”

– Marc Marquez ended his comeback weekend in Mugello with seventh place in the Grand Prix. On Saturday, the reigning MotoGP world champion was the best Ducati rider in qualifying in fourth place. In the sprint, he finished fifth and was the second-best Ducati rider.

Read more Aprilia vs. Ducati: What made the difference in the duel for the Mugello victory

The pure results were secondary for the 33-year-old this weekend. “For me, it is not decisive to be the best or second-best Ducati,” emphasizes Marquez.

“The most important thing for me is that I pushed through the whole weekend and the starting point of my rehabilitation on the motorcycle was not bad. For me, the most important thing was that this numbness was no longer there.”

“I had a new feeling in my arm, and that was crucial for me, that was exactly what the operation was for.” Already after the sprint, Marquez noticed a decisive change compared to the races before the operation on his right shoulder.

The doctors removed two damaged screws. One had pressed on a nerve in the right arm. “After the sprint, I was able to write down my notes,” Marquez describes. “That’s no joke!”

“In the last races, I couldn’t even write on a piece of paper after the sprint because my hand was shaking. That shows that the nerve is normalizing again.” That was the most important insight for him in Mugello.

Exciting duel with Pedro Acosta

In the Grand Prix, Marquez and Acosta (KTM) engaged in an exciting duel in the chasing group. When Acosta overtook, Marquez immediately countered and defended himself for a long time against his future teammate at Ducati.

“I knew I would lose this fight, but I told myself: If I sell my skin, then as expensively as possible,” says Marquez about the duel. “I fought Acosta with a better motorcycle.”

“That’s why I got into the fight. I tried to use my experience and defend myself in the first two sectors. In the two Arrabiata corners, I was then very slow.”

“I was cautious there because I know that small mistakes can have big consequences there. I didn’t feel 100 percent safe there, and a small mistake can cause a serious injury. That’s why I was cautious there.”

Acosta describes the duel for fourth place as on equal terms. “From my point of view, it was good. Hard, but still good. Good overtaking maneuvers, a really strong fight with Marc,” says the KTM rider.

“I was able to ride behind him for a long time and see how he manages a race – with all his experience. It’s always nice to fight against Marc. I tried to overtake him once, he immediately countered.”

“Then I stayed behind him for a while to understand what he does differently. I was aware that the riders behind me would catch up sooner or later – that happens in every race, that’s nothing new.”

Read more Franz Tost: Kimi Antonelli belongs «to the new superstars»

“I tried to understand what Marc does differently, to study his lines. In corners 10, 8, 9 it is much easier when you ride behind someone. It was quite interesting to ride behind Marc and see what he does.”

Strength fades: Marquez has to slow down

In the final phase, Ai Ogura (Trackhouse-Aprilia) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46-Ducati) passed the two Spaniards. Acosta was finally able to overtake Marquez and finished sixth.

This was also because Marquez had to slow down the pace in the last third of the race: “I just gave everything until my body or rather my right arm said: Okay, stop.”

“I still remember feeling extremely tired. Then I looked at the pit wall and saw that there were still ten laps left. That was a bit frustrating.”

“At the moment, riding the motorcycle is real work. I don’t enjoy riding under these conditions,” says Marquez. “It’s hard work to improve for the future, so that I can enjoy it again in the future.”

“If I’m here, it’s because I want to continue my career. This year I don’t enjoy it, but last year I had a lot of fun. So I want to keep trying.”

“Then we’ll see how my physical condition will be in the future. But if I’m here, it’s not to fight for the world championship and score points. I’m here to extend my career.”

Everything depends on how the strength in the right shoulder develops in the coming weeks. “I will try to push the arm to the limit, and then we’ll see where that leads me,” he looks ahead.

“No one can say that I will return to the level of before in the future. But I will try. You know my attitude. I am ready to try, then we’ll see.”

“I don’t want to give up without trying.” Nevertheless, Marquez is clear about his overall situation: “The motorcycle has potential. I’m just not yet able to fully exploit this potential.”

“But the motorcycle has the potential to fight for the world championship,” he is convinced. After Mugello, Marquez is eighth in the world championship. His deficit to Aprilia ace Marco Bezzecchi is 102 points.

Read more Mass crash at the GTWC Europe in Monza: Million damage in corner 1