The MotoGP riders who reached the podium, Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, were invited to this post-race press conference of the 2016 Catalan Grand Prix.
In order to avoid any abusive journalistic interpretation, we offer here a “raw” translation of the entirety of Marc Marquez's remarks.
You lead the championship, after a fantastic fight…
" Yes. Honestly, today I was at the limit, racing behind Valentino. I lost a lot in T1 and T2, then I kept the distance in T3 and my only strong point was T4. In the middle of the race I got a little hot and almost crashed, so when I saw Lorenzo Out my mindset changed a bit. I had planned the last lap, but I wasn't really comfortable, not like in Mugello. Then I tried a little, because I was at the limit but I wasn't 100% convinced. Maybe that was the main mistake, because I was there, but at the same time I was thinking about the championship. Then I got really hot when there were 2 laps left and I almost fell, and I said to myself “ok, stop!” 20 points is enough! ".
We are leading the championship and that was the most important thing after this weekend. »
A very difficult weekend for you, the drivers…
“Yes, you know, it was definitely a very difficult and very sad weekend for MotoGP, but I ultimately loved this Sunday because it was again the atmosphere of a MotoGP family. Because we were there, all together, on the grid, everyone was racing for Luis, we dedicated this race to Luis. In the stand, everyone supported all the drivers with a lot of respect, because we are there and, as we have seen, we take a lot of risks when we are on the track. And another important thing for me is that we are talking again with Valentino, and I am happy about that. »
Are you lucky to lead the championship, or do you think Honda has found something?
“This first part of the season, my main objective was to try to leave Catalonia as close to the leader as possible. We can say that we are leading the championship and that different circuits are coming up now, circuits that I like a lot more. We have an important test tomorrow. I was scared about some questions about Mugello and Catalunya, because those are two tracks where the Yamahas work really well, but we were there, so I feel good confidence for the next races. Because, ok, we took a lot of risks in Mugello and here, but we were able to be there, so now we have to manage the situation. »
Is Valentino currently the strongest you have ever known?
“I don’t know, but he’s in his strongest period since I’ve been in MotoGP. Because last year he was strong, but I have the impression that he is stronger and faster this year, so we will be careful with him, because he has a very good level. »
Does this podium finish for the two Hondas mean that your machines have improved?
“We are working, but honestly, compared to Qatar, we have small electronic modifications, but for the rest it is almost the same bike. So we still have to work and we have a few new things to try tomorrow. We'll see how they work, because they don't concern the point that requires the most, so we'll see tomorrow. But another thing is that we are now going to circuits that I prefer, where I have more fun, and this will also be another point. »
What should Race Direction do about Iannone?
“Of course, it's not the first time and we know that Iannone attacked a lot, but that sometimes happens in races. Last year, at a different corner, I experienced a very similar situation, but in this case I went to the outside and fell on my own. But yes, as Valentino said, when one of your main opponents makes a mistake, of course you try to benefit from it, but when it's like in Mugello where Valentino broke his engine, or like here where this wasn't Lorenzo's fault, you feel slightly disappointed. But yes, I saw the accident and it's difficult to say, because for us drivers it's difficult to calculate, and Lorenzo also always prepares a lot for his corner exit, so it's difficult to understand when you can attack. »
Photo credit: MotoGP.com
