Marc Marquez had tyre marks down his right arm after his battle with Francesco Bagnaia for victory at Jerez came up short, but the Spanish Grand Prix runner-up saw no issue with how his fight with the Ducati rider played out, saying “but he defended – aggressively, but in a good way.”
Marquez crashed from the lead during the Saturday Sprint, caught out by a damp portion of the Jerez circuit.
Admittedly, the Gresini Ducati rider said his “mistake from yesterday was super heavy on the shoulders,” causing him to lose position from pole at the start of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
However as the race unfolded, Marquez was able to dispatch eventual podium finisher Marco Bezzecchi before launching an assault on Bagnaia, which saw him go toe-to-toe with the reigning champion on Laps 21 and 22 of the 25-lap race.
“I saw many crashes in Moto2 and I was extra careful, then the others overtook me,” Marquez told MotoGP.com as he relayed the opening moments of his race.
“But today was the time to be on the podium but to not crash again because to crash three races in a row is too much for a rider.
“So, even like this, I tried. I had the speed, the speed was super good.
“When I overtook [Marco] Bezzecchi and I had fresh air, the bike was incredible. I was riding so fast, flowing, and I caught Pecco [Bagnaia].”
Although coming off second best and coming into contact with Bagnaia, Marquez held no grudges post-race.
Not only was he happy with the nature of the competition between the pair, the Spaniard also admitted surprise that Bagnaia was able to set a race lap record moments before the Grand Prix came to a close.
“That first move was the time to win the race, but he defended – aggressively, but in a good way,” Marquez said.
“This is racing and he played his cards well.
“I did one more lap behind him and the front tyre temperature went up, so then it was impossible to brake hard. But I need to say also he surprised me with that fast lap in the last two laps.”
Despite missing out on the win, being in the fight for victory was an important moment for Marquez, four years on from the near career-ending injury he sustained at the Jerez circuit.
The eight-time Grand Prix champion’s decision to depart Honda for a satellite Ducati this season was to prove he still had what it takes to fight at the sharp end of the gird and he proved that on Sunday.
“I mean, four years ago my nightmare started,” he said.
“And it was super tough. But I hope and I wish that right now my second life starts.
“It’s true that it was a nightmare, it’s true that still, we don’t go out from that negative moment.
“But step by step we have positive and good news.
“I want to thank all the people around me, I want to thank all the people who support me a lot, I want to thank Honda to respecting my decision, I want to thank Gresini and Ducati for giving the opportunity to ride this year for them.
“I’m enjoying and I’m happy. If I’m happy I’m fast.”
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