“It was a really tough race”
Alex Marquez started the 2024 season strong with a second-place finish in the opening round. Reflecting on the race, he stated, “It was a really tough race, but these are the kinds of races that teach you how to control different situations.” He emphasized how he remained calm despite reaching the limits of his rear tire in the final laps.
During the race, he was momentarily surprised when his brother, Marc Marquez, slowed down, thinking it might be a red flag. However, he quickly assessed the situation and focused on maintaining an optimal pace. “Leading the race meant my rear tire wore out more, so I switched to a strategy of defending my position,” he explained.
Alex Marquez’s Post-Race Comments
“I’m really happy to start the season this way. Yesterday was great, but today was an extremely tough race. However, tough races like these teach you how to control various situations, including how to handle the bike. My focus today was on staying mistake-free and avoiding unnecessary risks. In the end, my rear tire reached its limit, but overall, it was a great weekend. I’m not yet at the level of Marc or Pecco, but I feel we have a solid foundation.”
“At first, I didn’t know why Marc slowed down—I even thought it was a red flag. Then, I figured he might have had some kind of issue. I also had a slight tire pressure problem, but his pressure was probably even lower.”
“I expected Marc to lead the race, so I lost focus for a lap at that moment. But I managed to stay at the front until the end, and races like these provide valuable lessons.”
“The conditions were tough, and having Marc stick to me with a +0 gap for nearly 15 laps was a huge pressure. However, Marc and Pecco had it even harder, as they were dealing with extreme heat while also receiving additional heat from my bike. I simply focused on my own riding.”
“Towards the end, the bike was moving a lot, and I felt like I was losing time. My tires were at their limit, but I kept pushing. Since I was leading, my rear tire wore out more than Marc’s. I stayed focused, but after he overtook me and we went through two corners, I realized I couldn’t keep up. That’s when I switched to a strategy of maintaining my position until the finish.”
“Since testing in Catalunya, the GP24 has felt amazing. It allows me to ride exactly how I want, and I truly enjoy it. Last year’s bike had many struggles, especially in terms of riding style. But it’s precisely because of those struggles that I can now handle this bike comfortably. Tough races like today’s are the ones that teach me the most, but I believe there’s still more performance to unlock from the bike, so I’ll keep working on improvements.”
(Photo courtesy of Michelin)