Álex Márquez will be one of three beginners in a 2020 MotoGP season which promises to be full of challenges. That of the Moto2 World Champion will be to live up to his title, the choice of the Repsol Honda team for him and his name, since he will team up with what is best at the moment, namely his brother Marc Márquez… A pressure that he assures he will be able to manage while not denying that nothing will be given to him. From there, he reveals his 2020 objectives, and here they are…
Before leaving for the winter break, Alex Marquez had declared that he did not want to make plans on the comet for the coming season before having carefully studied the data from the Valencia tests like those in Jerez. The very first laps in the category as well as on the official Honda which must have been assimilated since the youngest of the golden family in Grand Prix is setting his objectives.
Before exposing them, he recalls the context: “ I believe that being Moto2 World Champion counted for me getting to this point. Without that, my name wouldn’t even have been mentioned.” But he cannot hide the fact that he also has an illustrious brother in the Repsol Honda place… « There are more disadvantages than advantages to being Marc's brother. I know I have to prove more, or faster than the others. But it's something I learned to live with a long time ago. »
« I have the peace of mind that Puig, Kuwata san and all the people at Honda have given me from the start. They told me: 'you're here, you're in the best team, you could have the best chances, but don't worry, you'll get the hang of things naturally, don't force it.' This is an opportunity and I know what it is. Being a MotoGP rider comes with a certain amount of pressure, but even more so if you're part of a team like Repsol Honda. »
Alex Marquez has therefore fully understood the full dimension of the challenge that awaits it. But after a fabio quartararo sparkling which revealed itself in 2019 with a private Yamaha, this challenge has become even more difficult. Because we will expect at least as much, if not more, from a reigning champion riding an official Honda in the factory team… “ At the moment I can't say what will happen » admits Alex. “ I'm far away today. I felt closer every day in the tests, making progress, especially in terms of pace, on the worn tires. I tried to understand how this bike is or how to adapt to it, because it changes a lot in the race. »
« It is clear that a podium would be a good thing for the first season, but I want to concentrate on the pre-season first, without pressure. On the last day of testing in Qatar I will be able to tell you if we are close, far or very far from the podium. Staying in the top 8 of the championship I think it would be positive and worthy of a first season ". This is the stated objective. But he is not the only one : " I have always tried to learn. During the tests I observed Maverick, Marc, Valentino and Quartararo and tried to learn from everyone. And then I watched the telemetry of Marc and Cal Crutchlow. My goal, of course, is to win my contract renewal. » Which, let's remember, is only one year.
That being said, moving up the hierarchy and starting to see the podium also means being sure to meet your big brother along the way. If this scenario occurs, Álex has no illusions about what would happen… “ It would be unlikely that he would let me pass. Marc doesn't even like losing on a motorcycle, so how could he let me win a MotoGP race or a title? He would never do such a thing. Marc is a predator » Álex finishes on GPOne.
