MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez announced he will adopt a cautious strategy during Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix after sustaining injuries from two significant crashes on Friday’s practice session. Despite these setbacks, the 32-year-old Spaniard secured a sprint race victory on Saturday but remains mindful of his physical limits going into the main event.
Injuries Impact Marquez’s Comfort but Not His Performance
Marquez admitted to feeling the effects of his crashes, particularly stiffness and pain in his right arm and finger. He likened his recovery to a “diesel engine” that takes time to warm up but insisted these injuries had minimal impact on his race pace. He emphasized the challenges in finding confidence with the current discomfort affecting how he positions himself on the bike.
“The body is like a diesel [engine], you know?” —Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
“It takes time to warm up and everything feels a bit stiff. It was [like] a lazy Saturday! I just have some pain in my finger and my right arm, but it didn’t affect the performance a lot. It’s more the confidence and the way to ride; the position [on the bike].” —Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Marquez Prioritizes Safety to Preserve Championship Lead
Aware that another crash could worsen his condition and possibly jeopardize his championship lead, Marquez stated he must race with restraint. Holding a 43-point advantage over his brother Alex Marquez, who finished close behind in the sprint, Marc’s focus remains on securing points rather than pushing for outright wins at all costs.
“I understand that my body cannot accept another big crash,”
“Trying not to lose a lot of championship points was the target today. And tomorrow will be the same mentality. If somebody is faster than us, I will accept it and finish the race.” —Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Race Dynamics at Assen Favor Strategic Braking and Precision
Although Marquez was not the fastest rider during the sprint race, which he acknowledged was led by Pecco Bagnaia and then Alex Marquez, he leveraged his expertise in braking to secure victory. Assen’s circuit layout provides overtaking opportunities in theory, but Marquez explained that if the rider ahead maintains strong drive and late braking without mistakes, passing becomes very difficult.
“Today I was not the fastest out there, but I won the sprint, so I’m happy,”
“The fastest guy in the practice sessions was Pecco [Bagnaia]. Then in the sprint, I believe it was Alex.” —Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Marquez pointed out his bike setup prioritizes braking, making him the Ducati rider who brakes latest, a key factor on the track where there are only three braking zones. To compensate for weaker points in his pace compared to rivals, he focuses on braking precision and managing his race carefully.
“It looks like you can overtake [at Assen], but if the rider in front has good drive, brakes late and doesn’t make any mistakes, then it’s super difficult,”
“I’m very strong on the braking points, that is my strong point. My bike set-up is just for the brakes. I’m the Ducati rider who brakes latest.” —Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
“For that reason, I struggle more here – you have only three braking points,”
“So that’s where I focus on being precise and braking in a correct way. And [then] I just manage all the weak points.” —Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Outlook for Sunday’s Grand Prix and Championship Implications
Marquez’s cautious approach reflects the significance of maintaining his championship lead rather than risking another fall that could compromise his season. His ability to adapt to physical challenges while using his strengths on braking zones demonstrates his experience and tactical awareness. The Dutch GP will test his resilience and control, potentially influencing the championship battle as he manages injury risks amid high competition.
