A Perfect Victory and Márquez’s Strategy at Mugello
Calling Mugello “one of the most difficult circuits,” Marc Márquez secured a flawless victory at the venue where he once struggled, now with pride as a Ducati rider. Maintaining composure during the intense early battles, he applied lessons from past mistakes, skillfully blending tire management and pace strategy. He waited patiently behind Álex Márquez for the right moment, and once he made his move, he demonstrated brilliant control to break away and win.
“A victory in Italy is special” – Márquez expresses his joy
“Winning on an Italian bike at an Italian circuit feels incredible. Before Thursday, I didn’t think I could win here. I haven’t won at Mugello since 2014, and it’s one of the toughest tracks for me. But I was able to ride really well today, and the team gave me the best bike possible for Mugello. I’m truly happy and proud to have defended Ducati red with a win in Italy.”
Staying calm and learning from Jerez
“Today, I kept calmer than usual during the race. I kept reminding myself of the mistake I made at Jerez and told myself, ‘The race is long.’ Of course, I wanted to lead the race, so I took part in the battles, but I was also very conscious of saving my tires.”
Mid-race developments and Álex Márquez’s influence
“Pecco was pushing quite hard on his tires, but when Álex overtook both of us, it was clear his pace was better than ours while we were battling. So I stayed behind him and waited for a point in the race where I felt more comfortable — when the tires had worn down a bit.”
Late-race domination and perfect control
“After passing Álex, I was running laps in the low 1:47s and even into the 1:46s. I could feel the gap gradually opening up, and from there I just managed the gap. Once I had nearly a two-second lead, I completely controlled the race until the finish.”
Lorenzo-style celebration and Ducati pride
“I did a little ‘Lorenzo-style’ celebration in the Ducati corner — that area is pure ‘Ducati territory.’ Today, I was able to celebrate my 93rd win with the number 93 flag. But what mattered most to me was waving the Ducati flag. Winning at Mugello, Ducati’s home, meant a lot to me as someone who feels like a true part of the Ducati family.”
Gratitude to Italian fans and determination for the future
“I feel my relationship with Italian fans is really good this year, and I’m deeply grateful to Ducati for their support. I think many fans especially enjoyed the early battle with Pecco today.”