Kosport Magazine – The Gresini Ducati rider is on the hunt for his first MotoGP win on the Desmosedici at the Barcelona circuit this weekend. With back-to-back podium finishes at the previous races in Jerez and Le Mans, expectations were high for the six-time MotoGP world champion. But Marquez has downplayed the pressure, as Barcelona has traditionally been a weaker track for him, with only two premier class wins under his belt here.
The Struggle Becomes Apparent
On Friday, Marquez finished second in FP1, but struggled in the afternoon session, ending up in 12th place and just shy of the top 10. He will now have to battle through Q1 once again, after doing so at the French GP. Reflecting on his performance, Marquez shared, “What happened is what we expected. Of course, we tried to avoid it, but we knew that Barcelona would be a challenge for us.”
Coming to Terms with the Challenge
Despite the struggles, Marquez remains optimistic and states that his team is aware of the difficulties they may face at this circuit. He explains, “We expected to struggle here, but it’s not as bad as we thought. Our race pace and use of the medium tire is working well, but we did lose just for one tenth in Q2. Tomorrow will be our toughest practice of the weekend, but we’re prepared for the challenge.”
Kosport Magazine: Marc Marquez on his Gresini Ducati at the Catalan GP. (Image credit: MotoSport.com)
As Marquez struggles to find his rhythm on the GP23 in Barcelona, he joins the ranks of other Ducati riders who have voiced concerns over the bike’s braking capabilities. He suggests that both his riding style and the bike itself will require further evaluation overnight in order to improve for Saturday’s sprint. “My style is unique and works well in most tracks, but there are a few where it doesn’t click. We need to find a balance for the whole calendar, and that’s what we’ll be working on tomorrow,” he shares.
Marquez had a similar experience at Le Mans, failing to make it out of Q1 but managing to finish second in both races. However, when asked if he anticipates a similar comeback at Barcelona, he remains uncertain. “It’s hard to say. If we have a good qualifying, we can aim for fifth, sixth, or seventh place. But it’s not better than our performance in Le Mans. Here, KTM and Aprilia are performing better, which makes it a tougher track for us. But we’ll keep pushing,” he explains.
Kosport Magazine’s Take: Remaining Hopeful
Despite a rocky start to his weekend, Marquez maintains a positive outlook and believes that he and his team have the potential to overcome the challenges presented by the Barcelona circuit. As Saturday’s sprint approaches, all eyes will be on Marquez as he strives to make his mark on the race. With his determination and skill, he may just surprise us yet again.
