Smoke signals on Marc Marquez’s Ducati: At the MotoGP race in Mugello, the ex-champion has to admit defeat to the 2024cc Ducatis
Marc Marquez’s (Gresini-Ducati) run of MotoGP podiums came to an end at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello. Marquez finished fourth in the main race. World champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) celebrated a commanding victory in front of his home fans. Team-mate Enea Bastianini prevailed in the final corner against world championship leader Jorge Martin (Pramac-Ducati)
At no point in the race was Marquez able to threaten Bagnaia’s victory. “Pecco has put in an incredible weekend here. But once again we were very close to the 2024 Ducatis. We battled for the lead and I was very happy with the weekend overall,” said Marquez, who finished P2 in the sprint.
Smoke could be seen rising from Marquez’ Ducati at the exit of the finishing curve. However, the smoke was not a sign of impending engine damage but was due to the rear tire, which was unable to spin freely after the ride height device was activated.
According to Marquez, a blister then formed due to overheating. “But I didn’t feel it,” said the Spaniard. “It didn’t affect the performance. It’s true that the 23cc bike is limited in this respect, and we are always at the limit.”
The clearance of the rear wheel already caused problems in France. “For example, I was behind ‘Diggia’ at Le Mans and had a similar problem, but it’s something we know, but it doesn’t affect performance,” Marquez is convinced.
Marc Marquez bites his teeth out for laps on Enea Bastianini
During the Grand Prix, Marquez tried to pass Bastianini for several laps. As Bastianini was very fast on the straights, it was not easy for Marquez to find a suitable place to overtake.
“I was stuck behind Bastianini in the race,” confirmed Marquez. “But by the time I was able to overtake him, I had already put too much strain on my rear tire. But when I overtook him, the pace was good and I caught up with Martin step by step, tenth by tenth, but in the last two laps Bastianini had a fresher rear tire than me. “
“He was extremely fast on the last lap. I gave up. I said it’s time to finish fourth,” said Marquez, describing Bastianini as the “fastest Ducati” on the straights because he is “super aerodynamic” due to his stature.
How difficult is it for Marc Marquez to accept fourth place?
Marquez did not find it too difficult to accept fourth place. “It was easy because I’ve won a lot, but also because I’ve suffered a lot. And in the last four years I’ve suffered a lot more than I’ve won. “
“Fourth place here at Mugello is a good result for me,” said the Gresini rider, who has yet to win a race since switching from Honda to Ducati. When does Marquez expect his first victory?
When will Marc Marquez celebrate his first victory with Ducati?
Predictions are now difficult, according to Marquez. “One thing I have learned: I can’t come to a race track with high or low expectations. I just have to understand where I stand on Friday,” said the former champion.
“I expected to suffer a lot here and I did. In Montmelo, I expected to suffer even more. Okay, I was behind on Friday, but then I was good at race pace,” Marquez recalls of the home race in Catalonia.
“Let’s see, maybe I’ll arrive at the Sachsenring and won’t be able to fight for the win. So I’d rather not have any expectations,” says Marquez, looking ahead to the German Grand Prix in July and jokes: “Last year I arrived at the Sachsenring and went out in an ambulance. “
