MotoGP, Marquez: "Changing strategies floors my opponents"

On one hand, Marquez  is always the same but, on the other, he is able to constantly improve. The paradox that Marc is was summarized during the practice sessions at Le Mans where he didn’t fail to show us some acrobatics (in three saves) and, at the same time, he worked almost obsessively to prepare for the race. It fact, we can even argue that the spectacle was a consequence of his unique work.

Let's explain this better. Better yet, let him explain it to us.

"Actually, one was a real save in the morning," he smiled. "My wheels were on the curb, and I had to push hard to remain standing.  It went differently in the afternoon."

How is that?
"It was because of  the hard rear tire. The track was not in the ideal condition to use it. The temperatures were too low. That tire is fine, but it was difficult to get it up to temperature. I drove aggressively, and sometimes the tire slipped, but I was within the limits."

Then why did you continue using it?
"Because it was important to understand how the various tires behaved. The weather is unpredictable at Le Mans, and it might be hot Sunday. We collected data that we'll analyze. I still don't know what the options for the race are."

Does that mean you're planning a breakaway again? It seems to have become your favorite strategy...
"From Argentina onwards, I did so many laps before everyone. I wasn't used to it (he laughed). Sometimes you have to change your strategy. So, if I can do it here, why not? After the warm up, I'll understand if I'll have this chance. It doesn't always happen. It's always good to always have alternatives so that your rivals will never know what to expect.”

Lately, they always expect you to win...
"Are you saying that the Ducatis were a negative  surprise? On the contrary. Dovizioso mounted a soft tire that was  used  a lot in FP2 and went fast. Simply, the qualifying lap is not his strong point. He can aim for a victory on Sunday. Then there are the Yamahas, not only with Vinales but also with Quartararo. Fabio is proof that the M1 is strong on tracks where there's a lot of grip. It's a winning bike."

Who is the most dangerous opponent for you right now?
"The championship is also a question of endurance. You must always be competitive, whether it's hot or if it rains. I'm trying to improve in every condition. Dovizioso is my most persistent opponent."

What do you think of Lorenzo's performance?
"This is a circuit where he has always been strong. He had a good lap, but I think he still struggles a little on his pace. On tracks where there's a lot of grip, our opponents have always managed to get close, but now we can also have our say."

Is the problem you had in Austin definitively solved?
"Here I tried some small electronics changes that I had already implemented in Jerez, and that inconvenience  never occurred."