The expectations, from both the media and fans, are that the 8-time World champion will immediately be a contender for race wins and the championship. Marc Marquez, himself, begs to differ.
In an article on the GPOne website, Marquez references his struggles to adapt his Honda riding style to his new Gresini Ducati. He also acknowledges his age, now 31, impacting his ability to adapt and outride the many fast youngsters in the sport.
He describes the situation with his arm as follows:
“Three years ago, I suffered a major arm injury. Now it’s working well, even if it’s an arm that has undergone four surgeries. If you ask a doctor’s opinion, they’ll tell you that it works like it should, but it’s obviously no longer the same arm as before the accident.”
Regarding his decision to leave Honda for a Ducati, and his prospects this year, Marquez also had this to say:
“I didn’t feel competitive. And, by competitive, I don’t mean fighting for the win, but being up there, at least in the top five, because now the championship is really competitive. Year after year, it becomes more and more difficult, and new young riders arrive. Every athlete has their moment. Then, step by step, they go down. I needed to feel competitive in order to continue my career.”
“I won’t be a better rider than I was before. Maybe now I have more experience, that’s for sure, but I’ll never be the same physically. I heard someone say, ‘he’ll come back stronger than before‘, but with such a long course after an injury, it’s difficult to get your rhythm back and be in shape like before. Of course, your body can adapt, but it remembers what happened. I’m going to be a different rider, maybe, but not a better one.”
Marquez was fourth quickest in the Qatar test that was just completed earlier this week, and appears to have a competitive pace over race distance. We will soon see what he is capable of on the Italian machine.
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