MotoGP, Marc Marquez: "The smile at Valencia? I know I can be fast”

"It was a relaxed smile, the result of getting on another bike and realising I know how to ride it". With these encouraging and significant words, Marc Marquez expresses some initial feelings as a Ducati rider, looking back to the moment he first climbed aboard the Ducati. During an event organised by his sponsor, the Spaniard spoke to AS about his new adventure and the Valencia test he completed in November, a first opportunity to ride the team Gresini Ducati. Marquez goes on: "I felt very much at ease, but it was strange not seeing Santi and the mechanics' faces. It was a good test". Most people in the paddock expect the eight-time champion to be immediately competitive and fighting for the title, while the former Honda rider prefers to keep his feet firmly on the ground, though this is perhaps a strategy in itself.

Marc Marquez: "I wanted to continue feeling butterflies in my stomach”

The decision to make such a drastic move was not taken lightly, although the reasons for his switch are clear: "You won’t get anywhere if you just sit waiting. You need to take steps and that’s what I’ve done throughout my career to continue to feel the butterflies in my stomach. I’ve always felt supported by Gresini and this is why I’ve come to them, because they never pushed until I had my thoughts straight". Marquez shrugs off any mention of the world title: "It would be a mistake to think about the title, also because I haven’t even won a race for two years”.

After the Valencia test, many riders mentioned that they are worried about this new pairing, but Marquez prefers to keep a low profile: "I don’t see fear on the grid. Yes, if you’ve just won four straight titles you might generate fear, but I’m in a situation where many riders have beaten me. I’d say I need to reinvent myself at this point of my career actually. I’ll be taking on riders who’ve been riding the same bike for years and who should be in front of me, while my job will be to give 100”.