MotoGP, Alex Marquez on Honda: “If it’s going to be uncompetitive, better for us”

2023 will be a very important year for Alex Marquez, as he takes over for Enea Bastianini, riding the Gresini team’s Ducati Desmosedici GP after three seasons with the Honda RC213V. Something that the 26-year-old rider from Spain won’t miss much and is happy to change scenery after last months’ problems.

“This year hasn’t been easy, but I believe that it’s precisely in when you face difficulties that you learn and become stronger. When you decide to change, it’s because you need to change scenery, need new motivations and new challenges,” Alex explained to colleagues at Motosan, during an event organized by Rodi Motor Services. “I look at the results that the Borgo Panigale constructor is getting, and I see that I want to reach them. With the Ducati, I had a good feeling right from the start. I hope it’ll be an important year for me and that the changes will help me progress.”

A relationship has begun with the best auspices, promising to offer a great deal to the youngest of the Marquez brothers: “Considering where I come from, I believe that Ducati can give me more than I can give them,” the Catalan rider said. “I wanted the peace of mind of having a competitive bike and that the results would depend on me. I’m eager and motivated. We’re here to achieve results, and that’s the primary goal.”

A very different situation from the one experienced in Honda, where Japanese technicians will have to do their best during the winter, in order to restore competitiveness to a bike with less performance than expected. “Honda is no longer my problem. From now on, what they do will depend on them. They’re part of my past, and I’ll always be grateful to them for the opportunity they gave me,” Marquez commented. “I know what I’ll be getting this season, they don’t. But let’s face it. It’s better for us if they’re not competitive.”