“Big mistake” in qualifying costs Marc Marquez a better starting position than P8 – duels with Jorge Martin and respect for Maverick Vinales’ pace
“The most important realization of this weekend is that we are faster than in Qatar.” That’s what Gresini Ducati rider Marc Marquez says after finishing in the top 3 for the first time in the sprint of the MotoGP weekend in Portimao (Portugal) in the saddle of a Ducati. Marquez finished the short Saturday race in second place behind Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) and ahead of Jorge Martin (Pramac-Ducati).
In qualifying, Marquez had made things difficult for himself with a mistake that led to a crash. He only started from the third row of the grid, specifically from eighth on the grid. However, he made up four positions on the very first lap. As the twelve-lap sprint progressed, he battled with the top three.
After four laps, Marquez was in second place on his Gresini Ducati behind Ducati works rider Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. However, when the latter made a mistake a little later while clearly in the lead by braking in turn 1, it was not Marquez but Vinales who was the first to profit.
Small mistake: Vinales goes past – Marquez duels with Martin
The Aprilia rider had overtaken the six-time MotoGP World Champion shortly before in turn 5. And once in the lead, Vinales never relinquished it. Marquez, on the other hand, battled with Jorge Martin in the second half of the distance. The Pramac rider initially overtook the Gresini rider with a surprise attack at turn 14.
On the final lap, however, Marquez managed to counterattack Martin in turn 5. As a result, it was the Gresini rider who finished second behind Vinales. “Because we are faster this weekend than in Qatar, I can overtake better and ride more consistently overall,” said a delighted Marquez.
Hard racing at its finest ⚔️@88jorgemartin into 3rd now PortugueseGP pic. twitter.com/lP1PPYQ2XD
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) March 23, 2024
But: In qualifying on Saturday morning, the result of which is used to determine the starting grid for both the sprint and the Grand Prix, Marquez had “only” finished P8 after a crash. Without the crash, which he suffered in the first minutes of Q2 in turn 15, he believes that a significantly better grid position would have been possible
LAST LAP! @marcmarquez93 takes 2nd from @88jorgemartin PortugueseGP pic. twitter.com/cKRC0YNbvs
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) March 23, 2024
“Big mistake” in qualifying: Crash and “only” starting row 3
“It would have been easy to be on the first or second row of the grid. But I made a big mistake. As a result, it was only the third row of the grid,” confessed Marquez.
Marquez takes responsibility for the “big mistake” and explains: “I activated the rear ride height device too early.” As a result, the Gresini-Ducati touched down in the long last corner of the track, causing Marquez to crash.
Marquez is convinced that without the crash he would have finished higher than eighth on the grid. But whether it would have been a better sprint result than P2 without the crash, he is not so sure: “I don’t know, because my first lap was really good. At one point, I was riding directly behind ‘Pecco’. But then I made a mistake in turn 5. “
@marcmarquez93 crashes out at T15!
But he’s already on his way back PortugueseGP pic.twitter.com/tRkMLjKi7x
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) March 23, 2024
This mistake in turn 5 was precisely the moment when Marquez was overtaken by Vinales. “At the same time,” Marquez continued, “Vinales was riding very strongly. He was doing 1:38 lap times the whole time. That was amazing.” The Gresini rider added: “But yes, it would certainly be a big advantage for tomorrow if I could start from the front row. “