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MotoGP, Usain Márquez: “I did a lap with a pebble in my eye”

2’15" after the crash, number 93 was already on the second bike: “I'm not making excuses, Ducati is strong, but I am not giving up yet, I know I have a good pace"

MotoGP: Usain Márquez: “I did a lap with a pebble in my eye”

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Usain Marquez, that’s what you should call him! Indeed, because in just 2 minutes and 15 seconds, Márquez was back in the saddle of his bike after his crash on the Misano 1 turn. The Spaniard went down, hitched a ride on a scooter to the garage and then ran straight to the second bike without stopping for an instant. Hats off to the number 93 rider who will start from the fifth spot on the starting grid tomorrow.

“It’s a pity about that crash – number 93 began – Unfortunately, when I ended up in the gravel, my visor opened and a pebble even went into my eye. I don’t want to make excuses, that’s not me, but when I got back on the track, I did the next laps with that pebble in my eye and it distracted me a bit. Initially I hadn’t even noticed it, but then it became complicated to be precise.”

At the end of the day, all’s well that ends well.

The guy on the scooter did a good job, pushing to get me back to the garage – Marc recalled joking – Fortunately, I was not hurt, also because it was a pretty big crash and in the end my shoulders and legs were not injured.”  

As we said, in just 2 minutes and 15 seconds the Spaniard was on the second bike.

They did a good job in the garage getting the other Honda ready for me – he said – In these cases, the guys on the team already know what they need to do. When I left the garage I thought I’d only be able to do one lap, but instead I even got two in. Unfortunately, the pebble in my eye distracted me from following the best lines.”

Despite the difficulties, number 93 is brimming with confidence.

“One of the biggest things I noticed on this track is the difference between the medium and soft tyre – he analysed – I say that because the bike’s balance changes a lot. In any case, I am satisfied with the sensations I had in terms of pace in FP4, also because I was fast.”

At the moment, the ‘Red’ from Borgo Panigale seems to have a little something extra.

 “Ducati is very fast. In fact, it has great stability in the turns and especially in acceleration – he analysed – With a new tyre, they are able to make the difference, but a little less with a used tyre. So, tomorrow we’ll have to see how the tyres perform in warm up and make sure we are ready for the race.”

Lorenzo will start ahead of the rest, but the Spaniard is not throwing in the towel just yet.

“I won’t give up on the win yet, partly because I know I have a good pace and FP4 confirmed that – Marc warned – The fact is that at Misano the track conditions change quickly. We’ll be racing after the Moto2 race and there will be less grip.”

So, Marc has no doubt about the goal he needs to achieve.

“The goal is to battle for the win – he said – If I am unable to do that, a podium finish would be important.”

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
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