After a month and a half away from competition due to an injury suffered in his right thumb, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) returned to action at the SHARK Grand Prix of France. Expectations are always high for the eight-time World Champion, but even few could have predicted his impact in Le Mans.
Friday’s runs at the French GP saw the #93 place himself inside the top 10, while on Saturday, he delighted fans with a wonderful performance that saw him just miss out on pole position, with reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) pulling off a stunning third sector to snatch pole away from Marquez. A P5 in the Tissot Sprint followed while he looked dead set for MotoGP™ podium 101 until a dramatic and cruel late crash with just two laps remaining.
"I rode really in a really good way. It’s been a long time since I felt this way, like myself. I was riding well. I was sliding into the corners, braking late, I could fight against the other riders. And I'm happy about that," Marquez said reflecting on his return to racing.
"I enjoyed it, but we have to keep working to improve for the future. You know me, you know my style, and today I enjoyed watching the race. If someone overtook me, I came back, I was fighting. I'm a fighter," added the #93.
During Round 5, Honda provided their two factory riders with the new and extensively analysed Kalex chassis. Although the evolution seen from Friday to Sunday in France hinted that this technological innovation could be a step in the right direction for the Japanese factory, Marquez didn't appear excessively enthused about it post-race, although he admitted there were improvements: "The chassis is a small difference, and it's a small help. But it's not the solution."
These sentiments, shared by his teammate Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), make it evident that the RC213V is still in the process of reaching its full potential, but Marquez himself seems to have rediscovered his best form. After a tough spell of injuries and unfortunate absences from GP weekends between 2020 and now, the eight-time World Champion seems to have the swagger he held when in his pomp.
"It was a really good weekend to boost my confidence. Because you know that when you're going through a tough time, it's hard to believe in yourself. And it was the best weekend to race again before these three weeks off, to say that I'm here, and the speed is there, and I feel fast, I can overtake, and I can fight. Then it's harder to fight with this bike, but we'll improve for the future."
"Of course, I ask for new elements and improvements in weak areas. But it's not in my hands. What I'll do is work hard these next 3 weeks to be in good shape for Mugello," said the Spanish rider, who has kept his word. Since the chequered flag waved in France, the Honda rider hasn't stopped working and pushing himself in training, from off-road to asphalt, all with one target in sight – the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley.
A visit to the rolling Tuscan hills is next up on the calendar and will prove the latest battleground for Marquez to once again reestablish himself as a genuine contender. It’s set to be an unmissable weekend, so make sure you tune in then!