MotoGP, Marquez: "Without the crash I'd have been on the podium"

Marc Marquez had the podium in his sights in a race in which he was constantly behind the Yamaha and the two Ducatis. The Spaniard was preparing for the final push when, eight laps from the end he crashed at turn 11, putting paid to his objective. The five-time champion was able to rejoin the race though, finishing eleventh behind Petrucci.  

“These conditions are not unusual for Malaysia. Today's was a very different race to that of Phillip Island. From the start I tried to be cautious, but I was losing too along the straight compared to the leading group”.

You emerged over race distance, but then the crash put an end to your fight.

“I was able to find good pace, tagging along with the leading group. Unfortunately in the final phase I made a small mistake. In truth, I didn't notice anything strange, seeing I was following the same trajectory. Unfortunately I opened the throttle too early, the front closed and I crashed.

You finished the race anyway.

“The only thing I was thinking about was getting back on the bike and finishing the race for my team”.

You went with the carbon discs.

“I was a little confused about the choice, as I'd never used them until now. If there'd been more rain, I'd have started with the standard ones, but the asphalt wasn't that wet. Before the race I told Santi Hernandez that I'd start with the carbon discs, seeing as the final decision was mine”.

Would you make that same decision again?

“Perhaps they limited me a little at the start, but I'm convinced it was the right decision, because I was gaining a lot in braking and could push. If I hadn't used them, I wouldn't have been as competitive”.

Without the mistake where would you have been?

“Without the crash, I'd have finished second or third, definitely on the podium. Luckily the championship is already over”.

You had a good battle with Crutchlow.

“It's always difficult to fight with him, it was a good battle, a pity we both crashed”.

Dovizioso took the win.

“I have a great relationship with Andrea, I think he's a great rider for Ducati and deserves this win. We all thought he could be the ninth winner of the season”.

Will there be a tenth at Valencia?

“Maybe Pol or Aleix Espargarò, that would be great. Actually no, I want to win it (he smiles)”.