Marquez Plays a Puzzle
Marc Marquez is starting to puzzle over where he will be next season, the factory Ducati team, Aprilia, KTM or a satellite team.
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The expression of Gresini Racing MotoGP racer Marc Marquez when he became the second winner of the MotoGP Grand Prix race in Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France, on Sunday, May 12, 2024. An exceptional performance should be attributed to Marquez who performed remarkably. Starting from P13, he was able to reach the podium again by finishing in second position.
BARCELONA, THURSDAY — Marc Marquez really enjoys being asked which team he will join next season. He also played a puzzle, reluctantly saying which factory team was his main target: Ducati, Aprilia or KTM. However, he also gave a hint by assessing that Ducati is still the best motorbike in MotoGP to date, and every rider is always looking for the best.
"There are many, many questions (related to where he will play next season), but in the end, that's part of the show, and you enjoy it, we enjoy it, so let's just wait and see," said Marquez.
Also read: Jorge Martin has options other than Ducati
Marquez has become one of the Ducati factory rider candidates for next season following his increasingly solid performance with Gresini Racing. Even in the main race at Le Mans, he was able to finish in second place despite starting from 13th position. He was able to maximize the potential of the Desmosedici GP23 to compete against Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin who were riding the latest Ducati motorcycle, the Desmosedici GP24.
This year, I tried to find joy and rediscover the thrill of (riding a motorbike), and step by step, I returned to a good level, so that was very important, and yes, I am very happy to be able to compete with these two people (Bagnaia and Martin).
Marquez is currently in third position in the standings with 89 points, trailing 40 points behind Martin who is at the top of the standings. Martin is another candidate to become Francesco Bagnaia's teammate at Ducati.
The problem of air pollution is not a new thing. The condition of the community threatened by air pollution has been occurring for a long time. There is no shortage of research evidence indicating the threat of air pollution's impacts. However, in reality, this has not been able to encourage significant efforts in controlling air pollution. Consequently, residents are increasingly miserable living amid air pollution. Three of the fastest racers, Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, and Francesco Bagnaia, crossed the finish line to secure victory at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France on Sunday, May 12, 2024, during the Grand Prix MotoGP France. This race delivered fierce competition between Martin, Bagnaia, and Marquez.
Marquez clearly wants a factory bike for next season, but whether he will accept the option of staying with a satellite team with a factory bike, or must go to a factory team, remains a mystery. He also refuses to disclose which factory team is his main target.
"Yes, clearly my situation has slightly changed compared to last year. This year I am trying to find joy and rediscover the sensation (on a motorcycle), and step by step I am returning to a good level, so that is very important, and yes, I was very happy to compete against these two people (Bagnaia and Martin)," said Marquez in a press conference in Barcelona, Thursday (23/5/2024).
Also read: Jorge Martin and Marquez's fight at the Le Mans Circuit
"However, it's clear that if you want to compete for the championship, you can do so this year, but if you have an easier life on the racetrack, it will help. So every racer is looking for the best," continued Marquez.
"I know my main thought, I am very smart, I was smart in the past, I was smart last year, and I will be smart next year in relation to what I want to do or what I want to become fast, we will see. If I can do a very good job on the racetrack, then I will have good options for my future," said Marquez.
The celebration of Gresini Racing rider Marc Marquez after finishing second in the MotoGP race series in Le Mans, France at the Bugatti Circuit on Sunday, May 12th 2024.
When pressed about his main thoughts on which team, Marquez was reluctant to answer clearly.
"Becoming faster on the racetrack and being with these two people, or close to them, because as I said in Jerez and Le Mans, I was happy to fight with them until the last turn. So, these two individuals were competitive in the championship last year, the two strongest opponents there, and yes, I will continue to work with what I have and strive to do my best," answered Marquez.
However, when asked if he considered other manufacturers, especially Aprilia, which will be left by Aleix Espargaro, as an option, Marquez emphasized that Ducati is still the best motorcycle at present. This answer is in line with his previous response, where all riders always seek the best.
Also read: Marquez is very strong with worn tires
"Now, European manufacturers are at a very high level. Of course, for me, Ducati motorcycles are the best on the track, with greater potential on all racing tracks. So, for that reason, last year I chose the direction of Ducati motorcycles with the Gresini team, because I was looking for the best motorcycle that I thought existed on the track and is still the best today," said Marquez.
"However, Aprilia and KTM are also getting closer. Regarding Aprilia, Maverick (Vinales) proved that you can win races, and Aleix also won here in Montmelo last year," said the Spanish racer.
The celebration of Gresini Racing rider Marc Marquez (left) and Prima Pramac Racing rider Jorge Martin at the French MotoGP race held at Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans, France, on Sunday (12/5/2024).
Regardless of the mystery of which team Marquez will join next season, this weekend he is focused on achieving positive results in Barcelona. He believes the Montmelo track is not too good for him, so he needs to find the maximum settings for his Ducati.
"My intention is not to do too well, but to always be the fastest Honda racer, almost all the time, so yes, eventually I need to understand how to ride the Ducati here. Therefore, it will be interesting," said Marquez.
”However, one of the strengths of my riding style isstop and go. Here we don't have stop and go corners. Here it's more flowing. So, we need to understand or maybe change settings or try to do more with my riding style to be close to them, and the good thing is that I will have their data to compare," explained the six-time MotoGP champion.
Also read: Marquez Knocks on the Champion's Door
Regarding what is still missing from himself on the Ducati, Marquez emphasized that he still needs consistency. "I don't have consistency like these two people (Bagnaia and Martin). They are fast in every practice session. They are fast in qualifying. They are always in the top three, top five. Of course, I am fast, I am competitive. In Jerez and Le Mans, I was very close to them, but I need to find that consistency," said Marquez.
The celebration of Gresini Racing rider Marc Marquez (left) and Prima Pramac Racing rider Jorge Martin during the MotoGP race of the French series at Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans, France, on Sunday (12/5/2024).
"It will be an important challenge here in Montmelo, as this is one of the riskier tracks for me, coupled with a new bike to navigate the long turns. However, we will try to find our moments, our ways to be fast and compete with the top racers," stressed Marquez, who is still seeking his first victory with Ducati.
