Marc Marquez is back in a Grand Prix, in Japan, after his resounding return, despite himself, in Aragon. On this occasion, we will recall that he was hit by the championship leader Fabio Quartararo who lost big in his title race, while, two turns later, he clashed with his injured Honda with the local the stage at Motegi Taka Nakagami. The latter, injured in a right hand operated on only this Monday, was declared fit with lip service and few bet on his chances of making it to this Sunday's race... Otherwise, he also has a hook at the seat of Honda for a summit meeting. He tells us all about it...
Chronologically, we will begin with his visit to Honda, which was not just courtesy. We said things to each other between authorized people with well-defined common objectives… “ The last two years have not been easy for Japanese manufacturers due to the pandemic » he begins. “ It was not easy to collaborate with Japan at a distance from Europe ". But the Spaniard still has this conviction: “ I believe that Honda can return to victory in the world championship. This is the greatest team in the world ».
However, she is currently barely a shadow of herself… But… “ I visited the HRC factory, we are in constant contact and by email, but seeing each other in person is important, to understand how we work and motivate each other. I met the president and all the most important people for the company. They know where they want to go, I want to help them get back to the top ».
That's it for the motorcycle, but for that it will also be necessary a Marc Marquez in shape. Where are we from this point of view since Aragon? “ I had some difficulties during the morning free practice sessions in Aragon, but in the afternoon I felt better. We hope to reach a higher level in the next races ". The fact remains that in Alcañiz, not all the boxes have been ticked… “ Aragon's objective was to go miles to finish the race, but unfortunately I only did one lap, so I'm very disappointed because I felt ready, I could have managed the tires over the long distance ».
Marc Marquez: “ Fabio Quartararo is more the one who rides above the level of his bike, who brings out the magic, like riders have done in the past »
On the unfortunate circumstances with two collateral damages that led him to return to the pits well before the checkered flag, Marc Marquez remember : " I was unlucky but also lucky that in both cases nothing happened to us. Anyway, I didn't do anything. Now we focus on Motegi, an important race and we will continue to do our work towards 2023. In the first free practice in Aragon I struggled to find the position on the bike, in just one lap, I can ride however I want but I have to work the muscles to maintain this riding style for several laps ". And on this point Motegi will be less lenient than Aragon: “ In Motegi, it will be the first time that we will force our right arm a lot because there is a lot of sudden braking in right turns and I will have to manage my physical condition well ».
Marc Marquez ends with his reunion with fabio quartararo since the collision at turn 3 in Aragon: “ it went well, very well, ultimately it was a very honest meeting » he rejoices. “ He told me that he wanted to move me from third to fourth position and I made a small mistake, not too big, because the tire was not yet at the right temperature and that's what that happened. Luckily he's fine, but overall it was a very honest and straightforward encounter ».
He also takes the opportunity to assess his chances in the current title race which he still leads, but with the gaps narrowing for reasons that we know… “ Fabio is still in front, it depends on him and I think there will be very good circuits for him. In Aragon, which is one of his weak circuits or where he didn't do well, I think he was fighting for the podium ". And he concludes: “Fabio is more the one who rides above the level of his bike, who brings out the magic, like riders have done in the past when there was a championship to play for, and I think that will be interesting ". Would there be a touch of nostalgia in this assessment of Marc Marquez on GPone ?
In any case, he wants to put all his chances on his side this weekend, even calling for fortune… “ Yes, especially since we have been absent since 2019. At Shoei, they told me about the lucky cat, a ritual that is also done with lucky gadgets, and I said: “Well, if it’s a lucky charm, then I’ll take it here because we haven’t had any success in recent years.”
