Alex Marquez “If I win the title, for 2018 it will be 80% chance in Moto2 and 20% in MotoGP”

Moto3 World Champion in 2014 with three victories, Alex then needed time to get used to Moto2, with fourteenth place in 2015 and thirteenth last year. This is a normal progression, like for example those of Johann Zarco and his teammate Franco Morbidelli. Except that when you are the brother of a devil bursting out of his box and winning the title in his second year in Moto2, comparisons are made which are not always favorable.

This is what Alex Marquez has to live with, like when the journalists who interview him talk to him… about his brother. Born April 23, 1996, Alex is about three years younger than his eldest, born February 17, 93 (hence his race number). This gap was more or less respected on a sporting level, with Marc World Champion 125 in 2010, then Alex in Moto3 in 2014. Then Marc shot like an arrow towards glory in MotoGP, with the title in his first season, while Alex took a little longer to mature.

This year, Alex is having a brilliant season, with two victories already, in Spain at Jerez and Barcelona. He has the speed, as proven by his first six rows in seven Grands Prix, including two pole positions also achieved in the two Spanish Grands Prix. He is currently third in the Championship with 103 points, compared to 123 for his teammate. Morbidely and 116 to the experienced Tom Luthi.

Alex is playing for the title this year against his teammate, which according to him is not an advantage: “ If you play against someone from outside, there is no direct rivalry. If it is within the same team, you must remain calm in relation to your partner, respect him. »

For overtaking, “ you need to respect your partner more. In Qatar we were told this. But, knowing his strengths and weaknesses – and he yours – you prefer someone from the outside who doesn't know your strengths or you his.

“Right now we are very close. With the hard tires, when you have to slide, it's a little better. When there is the more tender option, I feel a little better myself. These are details that are noticed later in the race. During testing, we are always at the same level. The psychological side is very important. Being almost at the same level, you have to play your cards.

Fewer falls, therefore more confidence?

“The problem last year was that as soon as I gained confidence, boom! On the ground, again. This year, with the chassis, the suspensions... everything... in all weathers, I feel the front end better. I scare myself, but I know where the limit is.

Did you ever think that Moto2 was not a category for you?

“Not until this moment because I was going fast. I had to adapt to the bike a little better. This is a category that even if you don't feel comfortable in it, you have to keep pushing and pushing to find out what you're missing.

“The first year I went through a lot of chattering. Now I have learned to control it. In Moto3, if you had it, you did something on the bike and it was fixed. In Moto2, it comes from the rider. Do you have chattering? It's your fault. Everything you learned in Moto3, in Moto2 it's the opposite. For braking, in Moto3 I was taught to do it later and harder. But in 2015 in Moto2 Tito (Rabat) entered a curve almost without braking then slowed down inside the curve. »

MotoGP soon?

“There is a possibility, but I don’t know exactly. I think even if I win the title it will be 80% Moto2 and 20% MotoGP.

It would be with Marc VDS in MotoGP?

“It could be. This possibility exists, but you have to know the material, everything. Following this year, which I am starting to appreciate after two very bad years, allow me to enjoy another year.

“I'm thinking more about the next step for 2019. Everyone will be at the end of their contract and that's when there will be more movements. I don't have much left to learn in Moto2. If I go to MotoGP and, if everything goes well, I will fight to get into the top 10. The riders want to win. If I win two titles, that will still be two titles that I will have. »