Marquez Heads to "Ground Zero"

Marc Marquez heads to Jerez, “ground zero” of his turbulent racing career until he was forced to leave Honda.

DOKUMENTASI GRESINI RACING

Gresini Racing racer, Marc Marquez, rode the Ducati Desmosedici GP23 in the American MotoGP race on Sunday (14/4/2024), where he briefly led the main race before falling due to front brake issues. Marquez is now headed to Jerez to chase his first win since Misano 2021.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, TUESDAY — Marc Marquez will return to the Jerez Circuit which is ground zero of his turbulent racing career in MotoGP. After the horror accident at Turn 3 in 2020 which caused a fractured right humerus, Marquez will be at Jerez for the first time in the most solid condition. Apart from his physical recovery, Marquez is now also in positive momentum with Gresini Racing, and is getting closer to victory.

Marquez experienced a drastic turning point in his racing career since he began a serious accident when coming out of turn 3 at the Jerez Circuit, leaving only four laps remaining. Marquez, who was in third place after making the biggest comeback from 17th position at the start of the race, was chasing Maverick Vinales who was defending Yamaha at the time.

Also read: Marc Marquez Closer to Victory

This accident started the turmoil in Marquez's racing career because the right humerus injury never recovered. The injury forced Marquez away from MotoGP for 265 days, which he admitted was the worst moment of decline in his racing career. He has just returned to racing in the third series of MotoGP 2021 in Portimao.

However, that was not the end of Marquez's misfortune, because apparently his right humerus bone was not properly connected. The bone twisted 30 degrees and he had to undergo surgery again. Those difficult moments made Marquez consider retiring. However, the surgery in America after the 2022 Mugello race ended well, so he could continue his racing career.

Now I am competitively fighting with the top riders to reach the top five. That makes me happy.

AP/ERIC GAY

Gresini Racing rider Marc Marquez led the pack of riders at the American MotoGP Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Austin, Texas, on Sunday (14/4/2024), before he fell and failed to finish the race. Marquez is now heading to Jerez to pursue his first victory since Misano 2021.

Great hopes were high since the beginning of the 2023 season. However, once again, Marquez struggled with his Honda motorbike. He even stated that he no longer recognized the new concept RC213V. He then decided to leave Honda to save his career. If he had stayed with Honda, his career would have ended due to his very low mental health. Marquez announced his move to Gresini Racing before the MotoGP race in Mandalika last season.

"This is a very difficult decision. It's not listening to my heart. "It's just thinking about what's best for my future," Marquez told TNT Sport ahead of the Americas series race two weeks ago.

Also read: Marc Marquez Not Yet Aiming for COTA "Sheriff" Status

Marquez revealed to Crash that his future is to become a MotoGP racer for many years to come. The Repsol Honda team is his life and career. It was very difficult for Marquez to leave the mechanics, technicians and sponsors at Repsol Honda.

"I told them, 'Maybe I will spend one more year here, then end my career because my mental health will be finished,'" Marquez revealed about his conversation with Honda before making the decision to move to Gresini.

AFP/MIRCO LAZZARI GP

Gresini Racing rider Marc Marquez led the pack of riders at the American MotoGP Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Austin, Texas, on Sunday (14/4/2024), before he fell and failed to finish the race. Marquez is now heading to Jerez to pursue his first victory since Misano 2021.

”So, I made a decision. "Now I can think about which team I will race for next year," said Marquez.

Marquez's move to Gresini with a Ducati Desmosedici GP23 motorcycle paid off. He was able to answer a big question that has been bothering him all along - whether he is still competitive. Marquez answered that with two podium finishes in three early races of the 2024 season. In fact, he even led the main race in America. If he doesn't encounter brake issues, Marquez has a strong potential to achieve his first win on a Ducati at COTA.

I'm competitive

Apart from the disappointing results in COTA two weeks ago, Marquez still enjoyed his new round with Gresini. He could smile again behind his helmet and really enjoy the race. Now, he is becoming more solid and getting closer to his first victory after the race in Misano in 2021.

Also read: Marc Marquez: It's a mistake to think about being a champion

"I'm enjoying this. It's not the same thing to spend the weekend thinking about being in the top 10, or the top 5, or fighting for the podium. This is the main reason why I made this decision, to answer myself whether I am competitive enough," Marquez continued.

"The answer is yes, I am competitive. Furthermore, I am extra competitive in fighting for championship titles. Currently, I am competitive in racing against top racers to achieve a top five position. It makes me happy," emphasized Marquez.

GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/MIRCO LAZZARI GP

Marshal evacuated the motorcycle of Gresini Racing's racer, Marc Marquez, after he fell during the MotoGP Grand Prix series in America at the COTA Circuit in Austin, Texas on Sunday (14/4/2024).

Marquez has once again become the protagonist. In the first three rounds of the 2024 season, he has achieved second place finishes twice in the Portimao and COTA sprints. He also almost won the main race in COTA. Marquez's position as a main figure in racing is clearly reflected in his ability to compete with top riders, especially in COTA.

"I am satisfied because we are the protagonists, we are strong, and we put all our efforts into it. Unfortunately, we experienced problems with the front brakes, which made me uncomfortable and caused difficulties. The accident happened because of that, and I couldn't avoid it. We worked very well, and we will solve this problem like we have overcome previous issues, and in Jerez we will try again," said Marquez firmly on Gresini Racing's website.

Also read: Vinales' Perfect Victory at COTA MotoGP

First win

Jerez is a track that Marquez is very fond of. He is very strong there. Even in the 2021 season, with his physical condition not yet fully recovered and on a less competitive Honda motorbike, he was able to finish in ninth position.

However, Marquez's greatest performance in Jerez was at the beginning of the 2020 season when he rose from 17th position to third place. He had overtaken 14 racers before falling in turn three on the 22nd lap.

AFP/MIRCO LAZZARI GP

Gresini Racing racer, Marc Marquez, celebrated after finishing second in the MotoGP Grand Prix sprint race at Circuit COTA, Austin, Texas, on Saturday (April 13, 2024).

This weekend, he will be in the spotlight at Jerez at ground zero for his career slump. Also on the ground zero track, Marquez has the potential to mark his comeback with victory.

Marquez is a clever racer in reading races, and that will be crucial in Jerez which has difficult braking points. Marquez's cleverness is acknowledged by the General Manager of Ducati Corse, Luigi Dall'Igna, in his notes following the race in America.

"Despite his fall, Marc proved himself as an extraordinary race translator, even leading the race, which clearly demonstrates his abilities and experience, as well as his determination and enthusiasm," Dall'Igna stated.

The MotoGP race in Spain's Jerez series will take place on April 26-28, 2024 and the sprint race will roll on Saturday starting at 8:00 PM WIB, covering 12 laps. Meanwhile, the main race will take place on Sunday starting at 7:00 PM WIB, covering 25 laps.