Marc Marquez' Reaction To Japanese Grand Prix Performance - "That Was the Most Important Part"
Categories: MotoGP
Marc Marquez was unable to achieve a podium at the Japanese Grand Prix. Nevertheless, the Spaniard is very satisfied with the first overseas weekend since 2019.
For the first time since 2019 the MotoGP paddock traveled to Motegi to hold the Japanese Grand Prix. A place that Marc Marquez remembers well from the past.
Marquez is happy with the results – Image provided by Motorsport Images
However, this year, circumstances are different for the Spaniard. After months of regeneration, the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix is only the second race for Marquez since his most recent surgery.
Although in the past, a fourth place finish would be seen as damage limitation for him, Marc Marquez is overly satisfied with the results of this weekend’s race.
“I am very happy with the weekend. We did great here. For some reason, I didn’t feel the weak points of our bike as much on this track”, explains the Spaniard.
🙌🏼P4 and my 150 GP in @MotoGP!!
— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) September 25, 2022
We knew that it was going to be tough in the dry but it went better than expected. Good feelings in the arm and first full race post surgery. Satisfied with the weekend and seeking for more. See you in Thailand!! 🇹🇭🔜#MM93 #STRON93R #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/Ba0BhIKLuG
Having started from pole position after a wet qualifying session, the race did not start as planned for Marquez. He states: “I had a bad feeling with the bike at first. I lost a lot in the first lap and had a lot of trouble.”
“But from the second lap everything was okay and I started to get better. I was in fifth position and had a good rythm.”
Having showed in the past that he has problems controling himself when he is physically battered, the 8-time world champion seems to have matured and still thinks about the regeneration progress of his arm.
“I saw the KTMs in front but I didn’t want to try anything too crazy. I needed to finish the race in a good way and get some kilometers in. This will help me continue the healing process.”
Still, Marquez’ race was the best performance of a Honda rider since he left the sport for his most recent surgery.
“We must be very happy, because for me it is the first time I didn’t feel pain in my arm. I was tired but it wasn’t painful. That was the most important part.”
Marquez late in the race – Image provided by Motorsport Images
Having followed the KTMs around the track all race, his not aching arm then even put him in the place to overtake Miguel Oliveira during the late part of the race.
The fact that after coming back from a massive surgery Marquez was able to complete the whole race without falling off pace shows that with a good enough bike, the 29-year-old is back to being capable of racing like he used to.
