Marc Marquez has returned to competition, but he is not yet back to the way he was before his accident. And the challenge, for him, is to recover all his means in order to resume the course of his career, made up of titles and victories aboard a Honda that the rest of his colleagues in MotoGP would have the greatest difficulty in registering. in the top 10. He spoke about this obstacle course that he has been completing since a Sunday in July 2020 in Jerez. And he insists on the fact that it is above all a mental matter…
Never has there been so much emphasis on mental strength in a MotoGP where the competition has intensified. As a result, the impact of each parameter has been multiplied. The smallest grain of sand comes at a high price and room for maneuver is reduced to its simplest expression. A pressure which thus reveals the characters. And Marc Marquez don't miss it.
The eight-time World Champion, however, is not yet thinking about beating his opponents. His battle at the moment is against himself. And when he wins it, it gives us a Grand Prix like the one experienced in Sachsenring. A great moment of emotion and relief: “ I am a person who likes to keep her emotions to herself » he said on speedweek. " When I'm happy I show it, but when I'm angry or something like that I try to keep it to myself. But in this race, I couldn't control it. When we see that even Alberto Puig cried in the Parc Fermé… He's a strong man, but even he was emotional ". He adds as if to further mark the moment: “ the whole team, even the Japanese, showed their feelings. Everything looks good on the outside, but inside we know we're going through a tough time ».
And this difficult period, here it is revealed without disguise: “ I went through all kinds of scenarios, especially regarding my physique. When you enter the box, you must be able to concentrate fully on what is happening there. If you can't, this will mentally destroy ».
Marc Marquez: “Fabio Quartararo is the most consistent, but it’s not the driver who makes the big difference”
Marc Marquez continues his analysis thus: “ physically, you feel the limit. When you test something, you immediately notice that it doesn't work. But mentally you don't feel this limit. The psychological side must help the physical side. I had to mentally understand that my body was not ready yet. I am a driver who gives everything in every session, but I'm not ready for that right now ».
A situation which inevitably instills a corrosive doubt: “ we know that after a serious injury, many pilots no longer perform at the same level as before. Right now, I'm not as good as I used to be, but I will try. I'm on my way back to where I left off, to become the same Marc again ". Certainly, but the others didn't wait for it, they grew up too. However, he has his opinion on the matter: “ the drivers have all moved closer together, so that depending on the track, different drivers are at the front. For the moment, Fabio Quartararo is the most consistent, but it is not the driver who makes the big difference. Motorcycles have also improved ". Which is not the case with Honda, far from there.
The fact remains that this ordeal will have disrupted the values of Marc Marquez. And here is the Spaniard’s new order: “ one thing that struck me is that it is necessary always take care of your body. I love racing, it's my passion, my life. But if you want a long career, you have to take care of your body. It is extremely important not only for your career, but also in your private life ". The start of the season will take place at the beginning of August on a Red Bull Ring track where he has never won. But he resumed intensive training to fill this void...
