Marc Marquez detailed his severe accident during practice at the Assen MotoGP event in a recent ‘Inside Ducati’ video, explaining how he lost sensation in his left hand and experienced major physical trauma. The incident occurred while he was striving to adapt to track conditions, leaving him vulnerable to the crash that raised concerns among the Ducati team.
Immediately after the fall, Marquez returned to the garage, where Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna and others awaited to assess his condition and learn the details of the accident. Marquez acknowledged the difficult circumstances when he said,
“I came in too fast for the conditions of the track.”
Detailed account of the crash and injuries sustained
Marquez described the intense impact on his left arm and the unsettling numbness in his hand, which felt
“as if it had been cut off.”
During a conversation with his teammate Francesco Bagnaia, he explained the situation further, noting that on the third lap he made a mistake due to inadequate rear tire temperature after a slow initial lap. This error contributed to the crash.
Despite this first fall, Marquez suffered another severe crash later that afternoon. He attributed part of the problem to the track’s gravel traps, which contained large rocks that worsened his injuries.
“Without [the big gravel stones] it would have gone better,”
Marquez reflected, and at a media briefing he criticized the gravel size, stating:
“I couldn’t breathe. I slid on the gravel face down and that created all [my injuries]… We have rocks for the gravel.”
Unexpected resilience leads to race victories despite injuries
Although the weekend started in turmoil with multiple crashes and physical pain, Marc Marquez rebounded impressively. He won both the MotoGP Sprint and the main grand prix races, thereby increasing his championship lead. Celebrating his win on Sunday, he summed up his condition with humor:
“The finger is numb, victory is an anaesthetic!”
The injuries were not limited to his hand and face; Marquez also endured a sensitive blow that elicited lighthearted remarks from team members. Dall’Igna joked about Marquez’s toughness, saying,
“You still have big balls after the crash!”
Meanwhile, Dr. Angel Charte’s thorough medical attention was humorously referenced by Marquez:
“This weekend he looked at my balls more than my girlfriend!”
Impact and outlook following the Assen crash
Marquez’s ability to overcome injury and maintain dominance in the title race highlights his resilience but also raises concerns about track safety, especially regarding gravel trap designs. His comments suggest that improvements to safety measures, particularly gravel composition, may be necessary to reduce injury risks for riders in future events. As the MotoGP season advances, Marquez’s physical condition and adaptive strategies will likely influence both his performance and the sport’s safety discussions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. The unfortunate truth is that entertainment gains more interest than sports, and MotoGP is looking to profit from this pattern. However, MotoGP lacks the personalities needed to produce enough excitement to captivate audiences.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is well-known for being a World Champion in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1 car racing. He showed great skill and courage in both sports.
Q. Did F1 buy MotoGP?
A. Now that F1 and MotoGP are managed by Liberty, they oversee these top global racing series. This could affect rules, competition, and business approaches. Even though the EU has allowed the deal, some still wonder if it results in a monopoly in practice.
Q. Is F1 faster than MotoGP?
A. Formula 1 cars can reach a top speed of 205 mph on the back straight at COTA. That’s incredibly fast. However, MotoGP bikes can go even faster at 221 mph. Despite their higher speed, MotoGP vehicles have a slower lap time, with a difference of about 25 seconds compared to Formula 1.
