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There are ties that don't break when the two parties part, and that's precisely the case with Marc Marquez and Honda. In fact, having left the Japanese manufacturer at the end of last year, in order to regain confidence and competitiveness with the Gresini team's Ducati, hasn't undermined the relationship between the eight-time Spanish champion and his old team.
In fact, Marquez revealed in a press conference that he went to the HRC garage to tell the guys from his old team that they were part of his victory in Aragon too. A sentiment probably also shared by Team Manager Alberto Puig who knows better than anyone what Honda did for Marc.
"When we found out that Marc was thinking of leaving our team, of leaving Honda, we suffered in our souls. But we understood that we had to make things easier for him, because he had given us everything, and he didn't feel at ease," Puig explained to El Periodico in Misano.
Aware of what Marc needed, both the former rider and Honda did their best to put him in a position where he could win again, even going against their interests.
"Marc wanted to test himself. He wanted to know if, with a good bike, he could still be competitive. Not only did I understand that, but we also helped him, because I thought he was always very honest. I knew that, as soon as Marc got on a winning, competitive bike, even the 2023 Ducati, he'd win again. I never doubted it," Puig admitted, happy to see his fellow countryman break his long fast last Sunday at the MotorLand in Aragon.
"I was very happy with Marc's victory, and I expected it," he confessed. "I'll tell you more. I expected him to win sooner, but I was very surprised by the difference between this year's Ducati and the 2023 Ducati. I think this important difference prevented Marc from winning races in the first third of the season. Also, both Pecco and Jorge and even Enea are riding wonderfully, and they're three great riders."
It is precisely having beaten opponents with an older bike that gives even more credit to the feat accomplished by the champion from Catalonia.
"Marc's merit in winning at Aragon is immense," Alberto acknowledged. He has never doubted the talent and abilities of the eldest of the Marquez brothers. "I know better than anyone who Marc Marquez is, that he's a rider with enormous ability. I know that, after the terrible crash in Jerez, many people doubted him. And I understand that, but I never doubted that he'd come back to win, ever! Marc became Marc again. He won again, not because of his talent, not because of Ducati, not because of his new team. Marc won again because he had very clear ideas. When you are obsessed with a goal, when you have clear ideas like Marc and are as determined as he is, it's impossible for what you pursue not to happen, especially when you're a phenomenon like Marc."
