Marc Marquez wants to return to the top of MotoGP, but his physical condition, the competition and a Honda which is not at the top are slowing down the champion's ambitions while Bradl is of great interest to KTM.
About Luigi Ciamburro de Motoracing
Marc Marquez wants to return to the highest level of MotoGP at all costs. But he must fight on two fronts. Personal first, because of this right humerus which has undergone four operations in approximately two years. Technical then, with a Honda RC-V which will show its new potential next February. On the other hand, the champion from Cervera based in Madrid has reached the age of 30, he is no longer the young driver who triumphed in the premier category exactly ten years ago.
The line-up of competitors is young and talented, fabio quartararo à Pecco Bagnaia, ofEnea Bastianini à George Martin. In 2022 Marc Marquez initially tried to grit his teeth, he made his debut with a 5th place at Losail, then diplopia and the accident in Indonesia forced him to miss two races. The 6th place in Texas and Portimao made it clear that it would be impossible for him to chase the MotoGP title. He therefore responded favorably to the call from doctors in the USA to start from scratch and anticipate the stages on the physical level. “ He wants to win at all costs – emphasized the Honda test rider Stefan bradl -. But over the past two and a half years he has had serious health problems, with four arm surgeries and diplopia. The doctors who treat him have already made this clear to him, he realizes it himself. AND especially young drivers are pushing.
Over the past three years, HRC has only won three victories in the MotoGP category, with Marc Marquez in 2021. The latest technical developments have not made it possible to follow Ducati et Aprilia, this is why the Cervera champion is asking more from the Japanese engineers. Qualifying becomes vital for the podium and there are eight GP Desmosedici potentially on the front row. His brother Alex has passed to the enemy and Marc will be able to see how he fares.
KTM eyes Bradl for its test team
But manufacturer Borgo Panigale does not seem to have room for the multiple champion in the factory team. Why invest millions of euros if it can also win with young drivers that it nurtures in its nursery made up of customer teams? In addition, aerodynamics and trim correction devices have further reduced the differences and the pilot, although he continues to play an important role, is no longer as dominant as he was. During the last three championships, three different competitors have won: Joan Mir, Fabio Quartararo et Pecco Bagnaia.
Ducati is definitely the bike to beat, but Stefan bradl, 33, recalls that it took them 15 years to become world champion again. For the German it will be the sixth season as a test driver Honda, his contract expires at the end of 2023, and he is starting to be attractive to other brands. Not only has he competed in numerous Grands Prix, but he is the youngest MotoGP tester. In 2022, he drove the RC-V in Argentina and then on six other occasions after the fourth operation on his arm. Marc Marquez, from Catalonia to Misano included. Then there was the wild card at Jerez. In five seasons, he competed in 34 races. In 2023, he begins a new collaboration with the team leader Ramon Aurin, who has the experience of Jorge Lorenzo, Alex Marquez, Pol Espargaró.
The eyes of KTM are turned towards Stefan bradl, looking for a new test driver for 2024 to replace Mika Kallio et Dani Pedrosa. " We will see how the next six months evolve “, the German driver told Speedweek.com. “ If there is interest, we can talk at the right time. For the moment there is nothing more to say ». Honda risk losing another useful part.
