At the Indonesian MotoGP on the Mandalika circuit, nine-time world champion Marc Marquez is facing unprecedented difficulties that have left fans stunned. For the first time this season, Marquez MotoGP struggles have left him well off the pace, unable to challenge for the win amidst growing questions about the performance of his Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
Marquez’s weekend began poorly as he fell to ninth place in qualifying after being forced into Q1, an unusual setback for the experienced rider. His difficulties continued during the Sprint race, where he finished only seventh and was handed a long lap penalty for a collision with Alex Rins in the opening lap, intensifying a weekend Marquez described as “the worst of the year.”
Technical Issues and Circuit Challenges Affect Performance
Speaking candidly to Sky Sport, Marquez detailed his struggles with braking and cornering on the Mandalika layout.
“It’s definitely not what I expected,”
he admitted.
“I’m having more difficulty than usual braking and entering corners. There are two Ducatis ahead of me, and I need to understand their performance. Aprilia is showing great skill on this circuit. This championship consists of 22 races, and while we’re struggling here, we’re not out of the fight. We have some issues that are preventing me from riding the way I want.”
The unique nature of the Mandalika track has compounded these problems. Marquez explained that the circuit’s style limits late braking, which is usually one of his strengths, adding,
“The grip is peculiar; we can’t unleash full power on the exits. But it’s the same for everyone. We’re not going to perform miracles this weekend. Our target is to finish between fifth and seventh.”
Impact of Previous Crashes on Confidence
Marquez also reflected on how crashes earlier in the weekend affected his grip on the race. He shared,
“I’m not riding like I should here. The crashes from yesterday have really affected my confidence. I struggled in turn two, where I had a nasty fall. I still think about my crash in 2022, and yesterday I also faced a bad high-side. I sincerely apologize to Rins; that was my mistake. Tomorrow we’ll aim to improve.”
Looking Ahead: Uncertain Future for Marquez and Ducati
As this difficult weekend unfolds, the MotoGP community watches closely to see how Marc Marquez and his Ducati team will respond. With the championship still ongoing, questions remain about whether they can overcome this setback or if deeper challenges lie ahead. Fans remain hopeful yet apprehensive as the season continues to evolve.
