Marc Marquez admits that this weekend’s MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix was “a boring but tactical race” despite earning his eighth podium of the 2024 season.
Marquez qualified down the order on Saturday due to a track limits violation in qualifying, but he was able to rescue another third place from a low grid position.
The Gresini rider conceded the race was mundane after he was forced to give up on catching leaders Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin to hold off Enea Bastianini.
“It was a boring but tactical race. Especially because when I was in that third place, Martin and Bagnaia already opened a gap,” Marquez told MotoGP.com.
“I was trying to find a way to reduce that gap but by then when I tried to attack a bit more I made a mistake in Turn 1 and then I gave up.
“It was just time to control Bastianini because he was riding in a very good way.
“I was a bit scared for those last laps of Bastianini that we are used to seeing but we controlled it in a good way.
“I was pushing a lot with the front tyre because the rear was finished and then I started to take a risk with the front.
“Then I said ‘ok I will try’ and even like this I saw even he was reducing the gap.
“As I said I was a bit scared. The situation was not under control but I felt super good.”
Marquez reveals ‘crucial’ improvement
Marquez’s weekend looked as if it could have been stronger than his pair of third places from the Sprint and main race.
The Gresini rider set a new lap record at the Motegi circuit, before it was deleted in controversial circumstances, and was forced to start both races from ninth on the grid.
The Spaniard acknowledges that it’s necessary to improve the practice and qualifying sessions over the weekend as it is costing the team better results.
“Of course when you start at the front everything is different,” said Marquez.
“But when you start in ninth place, on the first lap we did well but not perfect because at Turn 10 Jorge went through on me.
“Then I missed a bit of acceleration and Miller overtook us on Turn 11 and then I lost some time there.
“But it’s ok, it’s like this. Our crucial point will be to improve the qualifying and practice as I said the last few races.
“It looked like we could do it this race but unfortunately we were unlucky but it’s ok, there’s next race.”
Marquez praises training mate Alonso after Moto3 title
Motegi also proved to be a celebratory weekend for Marquez, as his part-time training mate David Alonso took the Moto3 title at Motegi.
Marquez was one of the first to congratulate the Colombian superstar in the pitlane and has high hopes that he has seen a future MotoGP champion in the making.
“I love it. I’m in love with David, I like him especially because he has charisma and he has his feet on the ground.
“He’s just working, he’s asking all the time what he can do better, he’s coming to me and I just try to give him some advice.
“So he deserves it and now he needs to enjoy it, he’s a World Champion, a Moto3 World Champion, don’t put too much pressure on the kid.
“Next year he will move to Moto2, still make mistakes because it’s normal but he needs time and let’s see.
“I hope that he can be a great champion in the future.”
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