It's official, Marc Marquez is fit to return to competition. However, will he be able to whistle the break in this MotoGP of the next world which developed without him? The opponents have learned to win, some are even now World Champions and the field has tightened. The peloton has also become more virilized... And Honda can finally hope to leave its place of last of the builders. That's a lot to take on for the eight-time World Champion who will also return to a Portimao track that he has never challenged as a Grand Prix driver. But Stefan Bradl reassures… Or worries. It all depends on which side you defend!
This will be the big event of the next Portuguese Grand Prix : after 271 days spent driving his Honda RC213V, Marc Marquez will once again take the handlebars and relaunch a career put on hold since the violent fall of Jerez in July 2020. What can we expect from the eight-time World Champion, on a Portimao track that he does not know in the part of the most selective motorcycle speed competition?
The test pilot who acted as interim at Honda during 14 races to his idea on the question. On GP One, he says : " Marc Marquez does not come back like that, without preparation. You can believe me. He is a professional through and through. Of course, this is a new challenge for him. He has never experienced such a situation before. But I am convinced that Marc will overcome it ».
Bradl: “I’m sure Marc Marquez learned from the mistakes he made”
The German continues: “ his return will be planned down to the smallest detail. I'm sure he learned from the mistakes he made. I have a very high opinion of Marc. You shouldn't necessarily expect him to win the race or even get on the podium.. but this is not the question ».
And the issue, says Bradl, is rather this: “ the main thing is that he is fit and competitive again. Let him gradually return to the rhythm. In the Grands Prix which will follow Portugal, he will be able to set other objectives ».
Certainly, but chase away the natural and it comes back at a gallop, they say. Including with Bradl, the proof… " But if Marc ends up on the podium at Portimao this weekend, I wouldn't be surprised. It wouldn't be a sensation for me ».
Marc Marquez will meet, for the first time as a teammate, a Pol Espargaro who would have liked to do better during his two Grands Prix at Qatar, which were only its debut with the RC213V. For him too, serious things are about to begin.
