MotoGP Marc Marquez (Honda/2): "I don't wish Alex Rins the best for next season, that would be fake"

In this Australian Grand Prix, it was further confirmed that Marc Marquez was indeed back in business. He was the only one to bet on the soft rear tire, and he managed to hold this rubber well in which no one else believed. He played for victory until the last meters against Alex Rins in a state of grace on the Suzuki. The same Rins will be a brand companion in 2023, as an LCR-Honda driver. And Marc Marquez gave him a cold welcome from the Phillip Island podium…

It’s a Marc Marquez ecstatic who enjoyed his podium in Australia, and yet he only approached it from the second step. He had therefore been defeated, and yet, his pleasure experienced in this close race at the end of which he felt nothing physically filled him, as if it were a consummate success. And he shared his joy in the lap of honor as well as during the flag celebration with the local public.

« I'm really, really happy with this podium » he said about this performance which gave him his hundredth career in the premier category. “ It means a lot to me and it means a lot to all the people who helped me this season, all the doctors and physios who worked with them », added the eight-time World Champion who had nevertheless fallen during the warm-up. “ We are getting better and better and Honda is working hard. This podium means a lot to keep the motivation and show them that the driver who won six titles with them is still here ».

**Marc Marquez: “ the choice of the soft rear tire was my decision, the team was against it »**

« They always believed in me a lot. The choice of soft rear was my decision. They were against it but I said 'I'll take the gamble and take responsibility if it goes wrong. I was the only one on the grid with it, whatever » specifies with authority and confidence the Repsol Honda driver.

« It was the only way to be there with this Honda " Explain Marc Marquez. “ With other tires I knew what problem awaited me. As expected, there were many drivers in contention for victory and podium throughout the Grand Prix, however, this was more due to the slow pace of initial leader Jorge Martin and then Bagnaia, rather than everyone having similar performance levels ».

On this “slowness” which would almost make one believe in a senator’s train, the pilot of 29 years insists: “ at first, it was a slow pace but for me it was welcome. It was my dream! It was a good thing ". However… " Things became more difficult when Bezzecchi was behind Pecco because then we started to fight with Martin, with Alex Rins, and then at that moment, it's true that my intention was to increase the pace. But I didn't get any more at the end. For me it was a good race. I mean, do you want a steady pace and no one overtaking? It's better to have a slow pace and overtake. You like it more, don't you? Me yes » he mentions on crash.net.

And otherwise, this Alex Rins winner of the day and future companion at Honda ? Marc Marquez tears the veil of a world made of smiles and mutual congratulations of which we have been trying to persuade us since the beginning of this season... " For next year, I won't give any advice ", said Marquez. “ For me, he's another opponent. It's good that a world champion and a rider who wins races with another manufacturer join Honda. Like this, we will see exactly the level. I'm working really hard for the 2023 project with Honda and they're working really hard too. I'm not saying I wish him the best. It would be fake. It's another opponent ».