Being sick is something we can all relate to. Being sick at 300km/h in a MotoGP™ Sprint is not. That’s something Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) experienced during the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas Tissot Sprint, and Sunday’s race didn’t end well either.
After a strong Ducati debut in Portimao and a podium in Argentina, Marquez landed in Texas 4th in the World Championship. The double World Champion has quickly got to grips with his Ducati GP22, and having qualified P4, the Americas GP looked set to bring plenty more points for the #73. However, that wasn’t to be the case.
Throwing up as he braked from over 300km/h heading into Turn 12 saw Marquez crash out of the Sprint. Something he'd eaten or drank hadn't sat well with him, leading to Saturday's Sprint ending in very unpleasant circumstances. He wasn’t feeling 100% on Sunday either, but solid points were on offer from the second row of the grid. Yet, being in the wrong place at the wrong time meant Marquez’ Sunday outing was cut short as Jorge Martin’s (Prima Pramac Racing) Lap 1 crash collected the Spaniard and his Ducati.
0 points and a small left leg injury is how Marquez leaves the Americas GP. Speaking on social media, Marquez admitted the injury isn’t going to stop him from competing at the Spanish GP next time out, but it does affect his training routine in the build up.
???? @88jorgemartin's early mistake sent @alexmarquez73 to the gravel! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) April 17, 2023
Just three corners after lights out the @pramacracing rider crashed and unfortunately collected his Ducati fellow! ????#AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/zsIbZwcsdx
“Today it has been seen with the ultrasound that, after the impact on Sunday, there is muscle rupture of the vastus lateralis of the quadriceps and distension of the ligament. It's not going to stop me from competing, but these days we have to lower the level of training to recover in the face of Jerez,” said Ducati’s Marquez.
After the race, Marquez was very calm and pragmatic about the incident that ended his Americas GP in painful fashion. There’s no bad feelings from the former Moto3™ and Moto2™ World Champion towards Martin. Mistakes happen. Marquez was the one apologising when he took Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) out of the Australian’s home GP in 2022, so he knows – like all of his competitors – that the shoe could be on the other foot next time the premier class are on track.
That scenario has come for Martin. The Portuguese GP saw the latter’s race ruined by Marc Marquez’ (Repsol Honda Team) Turn 3 mistake, while two rounds later it’s Martin ruining Alex Marquez’ race in Austin - something that Alex Marquez relates to.
“Yeah I have spoke to Jorge, for me it’s not any problem. In this sport, we always make mistakes. We will make mistakes, it’s like this. In the past, in the present or in the future, we are always on the limit so what we need to do is speak between riders and not make problems bigger,” stated Marquez.
What turned out to be a very disappointing 2023 Americas GP chapter is now closed for Marquez. He’ll be hoping his home GP in Jerez will bring better fortunes.