Alex Marquez showed himself at the forefront for the first time in a Grand Prix this year and the fact that this improvement was noticed during the first round on the calendar in Portugal is no coincidence. Behind the scenes at Portimao, the rumors with a view to 2023 have put pressure on a transfer market which does not really offer prospects for Marc's junior. So we have to go into battle, which is not without collateral consequences. But Alex Marquez warns: he will do it again and in Jerez this weekend…
Alex Marquez revealed himself during Q1, and managed Q2 well by securing a place on the third row. After a good start which placed him in the top 5, he let go as the finish approached to find himself in a battle against the Honda in Repsol colors. Under the checkered flag, he surrendered to his illustrious brother by only 50 meters. Not bad, but fabio quartararo had finished with the laurels of the winner for 16 seconds while, in the parc ferme, he was singled out by Aleix Espargaró...
A controversy with the official Aprilia which is not new. But listening to the driver of the LCR team, it probably won’t be the last either… “ Nothing happened with Aleix he says. " I've known him since I was little and he was older than me, we were young. I defended my position and he defended his, which he acquired with more rhythm. I defend my colors and Aleix does the same. He overtook me and I resisted. If I saw a small space, I tried to use it. That's all. I want to congratulate him again on his podium, he did a good job. It's racing and the adrenaline is high, for me something like this should be left aside ". And he ends with this clear message: “ it's racing and it taught me to defend my position and my team and I will do that in every race ».
That being said, the pilot of 26 years looks back on his performance and also his Honda : " I'm happy because it's an important result for the team and especially for me », emphasized Alex. “ However, I expected a little more, 7th place, and being 16 seconds behind the winner is a lot on this track. We have to improve because when everything is normal and conditions are dry, we suffer. We have a lot of problems with the front. It's difficult to ride and finish a race with it ».
Alex Marquez: “I know him and I knew where Marc was going to take me"
The Moto2 and Moto3 World Champion specifies: “ in Jerez, we want to have the best weekend possible with the equipment we have. After that we want to try things with the geometry and chassis in Monday's testing ". Because time is running out, an opinion shared by his teammate Nakagami, once again disappointing: “ it's the same bike as at the start of the season. In Jerez it will be time to try something ».
Alex Marquez ends with the battle lost by nothing against his brother Marc: “ on the bike, I was calm. I know him and I knew where he was going to pass me. In the last corner I was optimistic, preparing myself better to be able to pass him. I have the bitter taste of not being the best Honda and being ahead of him ". But he also says: “ fighting while you are 16 seconds behind the winner is not what either of us want ».
Alex Marquez took seventh place in the Portimão MotoGP race. This is the Spaniard's best result since the last race in the Algarve in 2021, when the LCR Team Honda rider finished in 4th place. Does this result allow him to put forward arguments with a view to 2023? “ We are not able to think about next year. We focus on racing and want to achieve the best results for Honda », replied dryly Alex Marquez.
Results of the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Autodrome in Portimão:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
