Marc Marquez is getting closer to victory

Marc Marquez is getting closer to victory. If the front brake is not problematic, he can win the American MotoGP.

AP PHOTO/ERIC GAY

Gresini team racer, Marc Marquez (right), briefly led the race in the MotoGP United States series at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Austin, Texas, early Monday morning (15/4/2024) local time. However, Marquez fell and failed to continue the race.

AUSTIN, SUNDAY — Marc Marquez is increasingly integrated with the Ducati motorbike so that he is increasingly competitive as he showed in the MotoGP American series race at COTA, Austin, Monday (15/4/2024) early morning WIB. In fact, Marquez led the race to pick up his eighth win at COTA. However, the Gresini Racing racer then fell due to a problem with the front brake.

"Yes, the positive thing this weekend is that I am competitive, and the positive thing today is that I am leading the race," said Marquez.

Marquez experienced front brake problems throughout the race so he had difficulty braking.

"That was the cause of the accident because when I arrived at the braking point, the first pressure on the brakes didn't work, then I pressed (the brake lever) for the second time, but it was already too late. We had an accident, but we knew why we had the accident, and that was the most important thing," said the six-time MotoGP champion.

Marquez had an accident on the 11th lap at corner 11 not long after he took pole position from Gasgas Tech3 racer and rookie this season, Pedro Acosta. Marquez lost grip on the front tire, then fell, and was dragged by the motorbike onto the gravel area. This accident ended his mission to achieve his eighth victory at COTA, as well as his first victory on a Ducati motorbike.

Also read: Marc Marquez Not Yet Aiming for COTA "Sheriff" Status

”We need to take the positive side (of this race). We are fighting in the front group, we are trying to lead the race. But, unfortunately, today's feeling is not the best. I had a lot of trouble with the front brake. "Because of that, I said, 'Okay, try to lead the race and see if it can improve', but then I arrived at turn 11. I had that bad feeling again and needed to brake three, four times," said Marquez as quoted Crash.

GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/MIRCO LAZZARI GP

Marc Marquez's Gresini Racing motorbike was checked by the marshall after it crashed in the main MotoGP race in the Americas series at COTA, Monday (15/4/2024) early morning WIB.

”That's why I increased the speed and lost (traction) on the front tire. But, apart from that the feeling throughout the weekend was good. We keep getting better. "In the warm-up session we made changes which also helped me, so I'm happy," said the Spaniard.

The other positive aspect gleaned by Marquez from the American series race is that he was able to recover from mistakes and improve his position. He made two recoveries, the first after running wide on the first turn with Ducati factory team rider Enea Bastianini. He was able to recover and move to second position, then chase Pramac Racing rider Jorge Martin who was leading the race.

Also read: Marc Marquez: It's a mistake to think about being a champion

However, when Marquez tried to overtake Martin on the sixth lap, he was on the curb and had to reduce his speed, because if he kept pressing the gas he would crash into Martin. Marquez was also preceded by Francesco Bagnaia and Pedro Acosta so he was in fourth position.

This situation can be overcome by Marquez by overtaking the three racers in front of him and leading the race at the beginning of the 11th lap. However, he then fell due to problems with the front brake.

"The good thing is that I can recover. I made a good start, but then on the first turn Enea was very aggressive and I, as a racer, widened with him. But then I was able to recover and overtake, and then made another mistake, but was able to recover again, and then lead the race," said Marquez.

GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/MIRCO LAZZARI GP

Gresini Racing racer, Marc Marquez, during the American series MotoGP sprint race, April 13 2024 local time.

“Then, when I found the spot I wanted, that's when I fell. But, apart from that, we need to understand that the speed is very good," continued Marquez toMotoGP.

Regarding the upcoming race in Jerez, Marquez hopes to perform more solidly and not experience any technical difficulties. The 31-year-old racer is still chasing victory after his last win at Misano Circuit in the 2021 season.

"Yes, feeling with a good motorbike, so we'll see if at Jerez we can get better, and that's the most important thing," concluded Marquez.