Alex Marquez arrived in MotoGP in the prestigious Repsol Honda team crowned with his Moto2 title and with the opportunity to share the box with his illustrious older brother Marc, eight times World Champion. In theory, he had only the assets in his game to have a promising campaign among the elite. But it doesn't turn out as hoped. Marc Marquez is injured and withdraws, and the Honda house without its leader seems empty with an RC213V in the middle that is difficult to understand without its expert on it. Meanwhile, the other KTM rookies are sparking…
Alex Marquez made his first year in MotoGP in conditions that many would wish for, but the daydream turned into a permanent nightmare. In four of the previous five MotoGP races, the Spaniard finished in the points. Eighth place in the second Jerez race is his best result to date. Three riders are fighting for the title of best beginner of the year during this 2020 MotoGP season. Besides Alex Marquez, there are the two KTM riders Brad Binder et Iker Lecuona. Marquez is second in this ranking, but already 34 points behind the South African, who won a race in his third appearance at this level, at Brno.
The Honda RC213V hasn't been considered the easiest motorcycle for a newcomer in years. And MotoGP is less forgiving of mistakes while leaving little time for adaptation: “ motorcycles are faster. You pay more for small mistakes. In Moto2 you can compensate for small mistakes, but here speed and higher weight have more effect ».
Beginner, Alex Marquez needs a reference. Given the situation at Honda, he can only refer to the currently fastest rider who is Takaaki Nakagami…Who, himself, congratulates himself on his progress in deciphering the data of… Marc Marquez !
Nakagami as a reference which is based on Marc Marquez…
« I try to follow Nakagami's lines because he is the strongest Honda rider at the momentt”, reveals Alex Marquez. " He can use the bike better. That's why I'm trying to understand his style. His driving is not that different from mine. I'm focusing on 'Taka' because our bikes are very similar. This is the best way to see what areas I can improve in. ". The Spaniard's remark is interesting, because it has always been accepted that the Japanese was riding with a 2019 version while all the other drivers Honda have a 2020 release of the RC213V.
« Of course I try to learn something from everyone, but a lot depends on the bike. Everyone has strengths in other areas. You have to accept that it depends on the bike and that you have strengths in certain areas”. Alex Marquez sees a general problem in the cornering behavior of the RC213V: “ we must improve especially in turns so as not to force the exit of the curve too much and thus kill the tire " finished Alex Marquez who will continue his learning at Misano from September 11. He will share his box with Stefan bradl, since Marc Marquez is still far from returning to competition…
