It’s the news we were all anticipating after a successful couple of days testing in Misano: Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) will be back in competitive action at this weekend’s Gran Premio Animoca Brands de Aragón.
In Misano, we didn’t know whether we’d be seeing the famous number 93 back on his RC213V on home turf at MotorLand Aragon. However, World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was clear in his wishes to have Marquez back fighting at the front as soon as possible. Why? To help the Frenchman battle against the armada of Ducatis.
“I hope he can be fighting with us pretty soon and try to destroy a little bit the plan of the red bikes,” Quartararo light-heartedly stated. “I think he will race in Aragon and I think we all know Marc well and we all know that he will arrive at the Misano Test on Tuesday and he will for sure want to stay in front.”
In the end, Marquez finished just half a second off the pace on the combined Misano Test timesheets. And if there was a track that Marquez might choose to make his comeback at, Aragon would be close to the top of the list. If not right at the summit. He’s recorded five victories in Aragon in the premier class and was only beaten to the win last year by a resilient Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) showing.
And it’s the Italian who comes into Aragon on the back of a history-making four wins in a row. Moreover, like his rivals, Pecco was impressed with Marquez’s comeback.
“He did exactly what I was expecting to see. Arriving, going fast and just for a morning. I’m also expecting to see him in Aragon because it’s clear he has to train with a bike and the MotoGP bike is the best way to train,” commented the man second in the World Championship.
Pecco has every chance of making it five wins from five this weekend, hence why Quartararo – on a track that isn’t a favoured stomping ground for him or Yamaha – would quite like Marquez to get up to race-winning pace straight away to potentially ruffle a few red coloured feathers. There’s no saying that won’t be the case in Aragon, but for Marquez to be anywhere near the podium will be an astonishing achievement. Astonishing is a word we’ve used many a time about Marc Marquez though.
Aragon also signifies a huge weekend for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). The Spaniard has gone without a podium in the last six races but remains just 33 points behind Quartararo coming to a layout that is much more favourable to both Espargaro and Aprilia. He too was happy to see compatriot Marc Marquez back at the Misano Test, as we get set to witness where Marc Marquez’s current pace really lies this weekend.
“He didn’t lose the speed. I’m happy for him that he’s back, for sure he’s struggled this year with another operation, so to see him riding again is good for everybody, good for the sport. Let’s see how he can continue riding,” said Aleix Espargaro.
Riders, fans and everyone alike will be looking forward to seeing Marc Marquez roll out of pitlane on Friday morning for MotoGP™ FP1. Will Quartararo get his wish? Time will tell.