Marc Márquez Reflects on Assen Victory: Strategy and Stability Were Key
Ahead of Sachsenring, Marc Márquez looked back on his most unexpected win of the season at Assen. Triumphing at a circuit where he traditionally struggles, Márquez attributed the victory not to sheer speed, but to strategic race management and control. He emphasized how the bike’s setup allowed him to ride consistently from start to finish. Looking ahead to his stronghold at Sachsenring, he stressed the importance of a calm and focused approach to avoid repeating past Sunday mistakes.
Satisfaction from a Difficult Circuit Win and Thoughts for Brother Álex
“It turned out to be a weekend full of surprises. This season, I’ve managed to win at tracks like Assen that are typically difficult for me. While there have been mistakes at circuits I usually perform well at, I’m happy with this result. I wasn’t the fastest, but I controlled the race well. It wasn’t a perfect weekend, so I can’t say I’m 100% satisfied. According to our father, Álex has a finger fracture, but he was riding well today. I want to support him as much as I can so he can recover quickly.”
Respect for Fellow Riders and the Importance of Turn Mastery
“One thing I want to say this weekend—to journalists and everyone else—is to show respect to all riders, including my brother and Marco Bezzecchi. I wasn’t the fastest out there, and Turns 11 and 12, where I struggled, are narrow and very hard to attack. I had an advantage in braking and was able to defend well. Every rider is out there racing for their team and brand. Everyone wants to win, but unfortunately, only one rider can.”
Tactics Based on Strength with Used Tires
“Just like last year, I perform better on used tires. But this year, we’ve also improved in practice, qualifying, and sprints. That’s why I can take advantage of my strength with used tires in the latter half of the race. It’s not about conserving tires—it’s about leaning into what I’m naturally better at.”
Consciousness About Avoiding Crashes and Evolving Bike Setup
“The fact that I haven’t crashed on Sundays lately is partly because I’m more conscious of it. Of course, I could still make the same mistake at Sachsenring, but awareness is key. Also, the team has given me a setup that feels comfortable from lap one to the final lap. Today’s start wasn’t as perfect as yesterday, but I managed to overtake Álex and Pecco to lead the race—thanks to that setup.”
The Value of Victory, Focus, and Team Gratitude
“My most important wins this year are Qatar, Mugello, and here. These were tracks where I didn’t expect to show speed, let alone win. So, Qatar was the most significant win for me. I stayed focused and made the right attacks at the right time. The weekend didn’t start off great, but I’m happy—for Ducati, for Davide Tardozzi, and for the team. And today, I didn’t feel any arm pain. Nothing beats adrenaline as a painkiller (laughs).”
Consistency in Setup and Adaptability
“Today’s bike setup was identical to Mugello’s. The second bike I got on after the crash had new aerodynamics, but I adapted quickly and kept using it. My strength lies in adapting to situations and the bike. At Sachsenring, we’ll need to see if this setup still works, but to be honest, our base setup hasn’t changed much since Thailand. We took a step forward at Mugello, and we’re using the same setup here.”
Strategy and Point Management for Sachsenring
“At Sachsenring, I’ll go in with the mindset to grab 37 points. But once we start riding, if there are faster rivals, I’ll adapt. I have a lead in the championship, but there’s still a long way to go. That said, I plan to manage points gradually with the long term in mind.”
2024: The Most Pivotal Season of His Career
“It’s hard to choose the most remarkable moment of my career. My rookie season was important, of course. But the toughest challenge was coming back from injury. I lost a lot and took a gamble with surgery. I bet on myself to be competitive again. The most important season was 2024 with the Gresini team. That year enabled my recovery and allowed me to now wear Ducati factory red. Without that season, I wouldn’t be leading the championship today.”
Determined to Learn from Last Year as Sachsenring Approaches
“Sachsenring suited Honda’s strength in tight corners. This year, who knows? Last year I crashed when things seemed to be going well and fractured my finger and ribs, but still finished second. I want to enjoy it, but I’ll adjust depending on how the weekend unfolds.”