Ads

Marc Marquez

As if he had never left. In Australia, Marc Marquez showed his genius to secure a resounding victory, which confirms his return to the front. The eight-time world champion was brilliant, and this all weekend long. In these conditions, Jorge Martin or Pecco Bagnaia can do nothing. No one has ever found the answer against such a strong rider. Analysis.

 

Intelligence at the service of mastery

 

Just a week ago, I wrote an article about the "new" Marc Marquez, the one who thinks before attacking, the one who takes fewer risks but is all the more dangerous in the championship. Even though he has nothing to play for this season (apart from third place in the championship, a detail on the scale of his career), Marquez has already adopted a much more intelligent approach than in past years. Comfortable on a Ducati, he no longer needs to force his talent to free himself from competition that is well within his reach..

 

Marc Marquez

Three in one season is great. That's as many as Martin, and one more than Bastianini. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

 

From Friday to Sunday, Marc has never been betrayed by his genius. For some time now, he has been much better in qualifying, even if his bike prevents him from fighting with Jorge Martin. Far be it from me to offend the Martinator's inherent speed, but Marquez is the best rider in motorcycling history over a lap. ; the statistics prove it. I think, for example, that a Desmosedici GP24 and a bit of luck prevent him from starting on pole in the last two Grands Prix.

Then, he continued his effort during the Sprint, after a first turn missed but saved. Marc said it: he could force against the wind in the Doohan Corner, but preferred not to take any risks, so as not to hit anyone and thus end his ordeal after just one turn. What followed was a demonstration of driving, nothing more, nothing less. When the time came to overtake Bagnaia (quite disappointing overall for the weekend, we'll come back to that tomorrow), The Italian looked more like a chicane than a double MotoGP world champion. Martin was already far away, too far to be caught, but what did it matter.

On Sunday it was even worse. I'm not going to rehash the whole thing, everyone knows the plot, from the tear-off falling to the ground to the victorious overtaking of Jorge Martin in turn 4. I just want to ask you a question: Who, right now, can beat this Marc Marquez? In my opinion, no one. Martin, after the race, said that he was saving himself because of his situation in the championship. Not to us, Jorge. I would bet that the result would have been the same if he had played it "at 100%", in the event that he was not already there, or if Marquez, himself, was contesting the world title.

 

 

This makes me question my past thinking about the level of MotoGP current. I said recently that we are currently living in a very competitive era. I agree that the Phillip Island circuit is one of the least representative of the season. (which is factually true, historically speaking), but the ease with which Marc Marquez rides a bike that is a year old, and let's say, almost two years old due to the GP24 improvements, makes me scratch the top of my head. Bagnaia and Martin are good riders, yes, but when he's like this, Marquez is evolving in a completely different dimension.

 

Be wary of the results

 

Numbers don't tell the whole story, of course. As mentioned above, just because a rider wins in Australia doesn't mean he's the strongest, and that's not the point of my article. The conditions are so unique on this track that it's hard to draw lessons from them that apply elsewhere. But Marquez's case is different, as he's been on an excellent run for several Grands Prix. I had detailed and compared his totals with those of Bagnaia and Martin before the Australian GP, the results were quite edifying. Click here to discover them.

 

Marc Marquez

Alone in its category. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

 

This new victory is only the continuation of a series started in Austria, but rather poorly paid in terms of accounting. The bill could be even higher. After two consecutive victories, he followed up with a magnificent weekend at Misano 2, one of the most intelligent of his season, because discreet. Then, he was also very fast in Indonesia, on a circuit that did not suit him well. His third place in the Sprint was convincing, just behind the winner Pecco Bagnaia. Then, his engine gave up during the GP. Then, as I had specified two weeks ago, his two races in Japan were conditioned by his starting position (only 9th), herself influenced by a rather incredible stroke of bad luck in Q2. Here again, he could have imposed himself if fate had been more lenient.

Therefore, his victory at Phillip Island is not at all a surprise. It is totally logical, for the good and simple reason that since Aragon, he is the best driver in the world. He has three wins in the last six races, against one for Bagnaia and one for Martin. In fact, he now has as many as the Martinator over the season.

All this leaves one dreaming for next year, although, I hope I don't have to watch a remake of the 2014 season..

I'm curious to know what you think! So tell me in the comments!

 

The debate for third place is still open, but Marquez has moved ahead of Bastianini, with a 14-point lead. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport

All articles on Pilots: Marc Marquez

All articles on Teams: Gresini MotoGP