Now aged 47, Carlos Checa has solid experience in the World Championships, with 194 races to his name in 500 cc and MotoGP, as well as a few Grands Prix in 3 and 125 cc. He won the Catalan GP in 250 on a Honda in 3, then with an identical bike the Madrid Grand Prix in 500 on the Jarama circuit.
But it was in the Superbike World Championship that his talent was best rewarded, with 24 victories from 150 starts. He thus obtained the title of World Champion in the category in 2011 on a Ducati 1098R entered by Genesio Bevilacqua's Althea Racing team (photo above). He thus became the first Spanish rider to win the SBK world title, and the third European after Raymond Roche and Max Biaggi.
Carlos has seen many good riders race, as he himself battled against Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and others. He has also seen many ride against whom he has not fought directly.
For Carlos, Marc Márquez knows how to operate anything that runs. “It’s not just about the front part of the bike. It is also the Michelin tire, which has always sinned by this fact, which tends to lock up in front when you lean when braking. To make it clear, the support you have on the front wheel is less than that of another motorcycle. Honda and Michelin have never been a very good combination and continue not to be. I tried a lot of Hondas, the 500, the Superbike, the 800cc MotoGP, the 3cc MotoGP, and they all had that character. It's a DNA problem “, underlined Carlos, according to him a problem that only Marc Márquez was able to overcome. “ Marc makes everything work » explained the Barcelonan to Fabio Marchi for Mundodeportivo.com.
“The others are lucky he drives a Honda. I'm sorry to say it because they are all great riders, from the first to the last, but Marc could win with any of the big brands in MotoGP, especially with the Yamaha and Ducati structures. The other teams, Suzuki, KTM and Aprilia have all taken a big step forward, but these bikes may still be a little tight, especially KTM and Aprilia. »
“Marc is probably the best driver I have ever seen. And I'm sure he's the most complete I've seen in my career. »
Regarding his brother Alex Marquez, “I think he's maybe in the top 10. What's clear is that if you're not competitive in the first, second or third race, you're hardly going to be competitive at the end of the season. I think it's difficult. With progression and on a specific circuit you can, but I think it's difficult to think from the start that a driver can finish 14th or 15th in their first race and make a podium or win at the end. »
About Jorge Lorenzo, “Jorge's case is different because he is a very experienced driver. Knowing Jorge, the moment he experienced with the Honda and the Michelins… It wasn't the best combination for him. And having Márquez at his side is even worse. I think the worst case scenario presented itself. The worst scenario Jorge could find himself in is where he went. »
“No one is afraid. It’s more that everything has meaning. If you are fighting for 14th place, it is not that you are afraid or not, it is that you decide not to risk more since you choose to only be 14th. But if you are fighting for 3rd position, the same person is capable of taking high risks. And there is something else, you can take more or less important risks depending on the sensations and the confidence you have in the bike, but if you don't feel the bike and you don't know how to handle it, you don't know no where is the limit, you can't ride blind. »
On the side ofAndrea Dovizioso, “I don't think Ducati will be Márquez's rival in 2020, because his riders are already reaching the end of their attempt, a relationship that has already been somewhat consummated by Dovizioso and Petrucci. And in this regard, I think it will be difficult for these drivers to be competitive. Dovizioso is the main rival, but he can hardly be a strong opponent for Márquez. »
And for the end, Valentino Rossi. “ He was an incredible driver, one of the best in history, and he's no longer where we all would like to see him. Seeing him fight for the top 10 and then seeing him fall because he can't, being the last Yamaha, it doesn't make sense. »
“It's not about whether he continues or not, it's about, does what Valentino is doing make sense? Personally, I hope and I wish that it continues for one, two or three years because I think that for the championship, it is very interesting and it is a very important ingredient, but on a sporting level, that he's finding meaning and hope in this moment, I don't understand. But it's his decision, I respect it and all the fans should be grateful to him. »
Photos MotoGP.com and Worldsbk.com / Dorna
