July 25, 2020 – With the knowledge that he could not ride during the Grand Prix of Andalusia, reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez will ‘sleep well’ tonight. The driver showed willpower on Saturday, but his body put a stop to an incredible comeback.
Last weekend, Marquez broke his right upper arm, then went under the knife on Tuesday. The driver felt that he could race in Jerez this weekend and therefore traveled back to Andalusia for the medical examination. He passed that inspection, but made the compromise with Honda that he would not drive on Friday. Saturday morning and afternoon Marquez drove 28 laps in VT3 and VT4 and immediately drove a few nice lap times. But at the same time came the realization that he did not have enough power to cover a full race distance. When the driver lost strength in his elbow, he decided it was going to be ‘too dangerous’ and forfeit for the rest of the weekend.
Despite the pain, Marquez spoke to the press on Saturday afternoon. “After the operation, I felt there was a possibility [om te racen], I had to try it. As a sportsman you have that drive to try it. I will sleep well last night, I tried but it was not possible. I listened to my body and that told me to try it. The plan was to drive Saturday morning, check my status and see how I felt. Frankly, it went very well. I was surprised to drive laps 1.37. This afternoon I tried again and the first run [in VT4] felt very good, even on the used tire I was reasonable. But for some reason, when I went out again, I felt I had no strength in my elbow. The nerve might have left me with no strength. And then it got dangerous. I did what I did all week and that is listening to my body. Now my body told me to stop. I quit, I told Honda I wanted to try again in the first qualifying session. If I had the same feeling then I would quit and give up. “
“I was fine with the second place in sight”
Marquez stated that last Sunday’s crash happened because he “thought the job was done” when he hooked it up to Maverick Viñales’ rear wheel. “I really enjoyed the bike last week, you can hardly believe it,” he continued. “Of course it was a strange race after the error and after the save. But I enjoyed driving, I felt really good. I made the mistake when I felt that the work was done. I was behind Viñales and then I thought this is the maximum It was impossible to [Fabio] Catching Quartararo within a few laps, he was five seconds ahead. I was fine with it and wanted it [Viñales] and take him in the last round. And then the crash came. The only difference was that in that lap I usually always drive on the inside to ‘cut’ the corner. I didn’t do that lap, I hit the white line and suddenly the rear wheel flew away. It was of course an error that I crashed. But that can happen in racing. I have to learn from that. “
The Spaniard intends to return during the Czech Grand Prix on August 9.
With the cooperation of Rachit Thukral
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