A second-place finish for Alex Marquez in the MotoGP Sprint at Jerez is becoming routine, yet the Spanish rider admitted he did not fully expect such a strong result ahead of Saturday’s race. Despite achieving his fifth second place in five Sprints this season, Marquez faced uncertainty after crashing twice on Friday, which significantly hindered his preparation.
“I didn’t start the race really convinced,” Marquez told MotoGP.com after the event. He expressed concerns about the lack of track time, stating, “We know that [Friday afternoon] we didn’t get a lot of information [because of] the crash, and I was a bit worried about track conditions and all that because I was not having everything under control before starting the race.”
In light of these struggles, Marquez adopted a cautious approach at the beginning of the 12-lap race, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure to avoid mistakes. “I took it easy a little bit,” he said, acknowledging that making a good start was crucial. During the initial laps, Marquez focused on controlling the pace and managing the gap with Francesco Bagnaia, the race leader. “I decided to just control the gap and just be calm,” he added.
Reflecting on his performance, Marquez noted, “I’m really happy for that, I think we did a good step today, but the other ones with the information they got yesterday did another one.” He underscored that while he achieved a commendable finish, the main event on Sunday is what truly matters. “Happy, but tomorrow is the main day, the important day, and we need to be focused again,” he stated firmly.
Marquez remains optimistic about his prospects for the Grand Prix, hinting at another potential podium finish. When asked about his chances, he replied, “I think yes,” but quickly cautioned that success would greatly depend on the start, particularly how he manages the first lap. “With a train, it’s super-difficult to manage the front tyre,” he explained, highlighting the complexities of strategies in racing.
During the weekend, Marquez has been closely following his brother, Marc Marquez, who currently leads the MotoGP standings. This proximity in performance has given him valuable insights into areas where he needs to improve. “Exactly the points that I expected before coming here: turn four, turn seven, turn eight,” he said, recognizing where he was losing speed.
“No secrets with him,” Marquez remarked about his brother, noting that Marc is consistently fast and adept in those critical corners. “He’s able to turn the bike; doesn’t matter if it’s a soft [compound] rear [tyre], medium compound rear, or [whatever].” He acknowledged his own struggles, saying, “Me, in that point, I feel more the rear pushing to the front and I was not able to turn.” This realization prompted him to emphasize the necessity for improvement before the main race.
The enthusiasm surrounding the MotoGP events is palpable, and Marquez’s journey reflects both the challenges and excitement of the sport. As fans eagerly await the Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Alex Marquez to see if he can harness his performance into a strong finish, despite the uncertainty lingering in his mind.
