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Alex Marquez had to surrender again today to the superiority of his brother, but we can't say that he didn't give him a hard time. The Gressini team rider was the only one who kept up with him and even managed to lead the race. Then, with five laps to go, Marc passed him and won. "Today, I gave it my all," Alex said. "When he passed me, I tried to push. I knew it was time to attack. But he was faster. I was at the limit, and I accepted second place."
Where does Marc make the difference?
"He's better at the end of the race at staying close to the limit, in that kind of limbo. He's comfortable in that situation, and I'm not. He can stay at the limit and control it."
Did you think you could win?
"I knew he was managing the tires, but I went for it. If I had let him pass earlier, I didn't know if I would've then gotten the chance to get back in front."
How do you rate this Sunday?
"It was the race in which I was most competitive. I had the attitude it takes to win. Being the only one staying so close to Marc, on a track he likes, gives me confidence. I think it was a great weekend and, when you know you've given it your all, you can't ask for more. I'm satisfied, and I learned a lot today."
Is Marc unbeatable?
"Every opponent I fought with had a weakness. Marc definitely has one, too. I know him well, but he usually has everything under control. I'm not happy with finishing second. I want to beat him, but I have no problem saying what he does well, because he's my brother, not just a rival. That doesn't mean I don't want to win. I know where he's strong and where I have to work. Besides, to match Angel, you have to deserve it."
So you're not going to give him any slack?
"I'm a rider, so I always give my best and push. I know Marc is my brother, but I'm the first one who wants to beat him. I know him well, though, and I'm the most realistic of all. I have no problem saying what I think of him in a positive way and admitting where he's better. But let's stop saying I have too much respect for him. In the parc fermé, they told me he was going to fall (lap 15, turn 6), but nobody knows him better than me and, until the end, you can never trust him. I don't know how to ride at ease at the limit between falling and staying in the race, which he's really good at. I have to improve on that."
Let's talk about you. How do you feel right now?
"I feel strong. This bike suits me very well, and I'm simply having fun. I can play. I just have to continue like this. The team is doing a great job, and the support from Ducati is great."
What have you learned from these first two GPs?
"I was able to be fast both in Thailand and here, but these are two circuits I like. We'll have to see how competitive I'll be on other tracks. But, here, I was closer to Marc than in Buriram, where he was in another world. You have to see, race by race, enjoy it, and always try to give it your best. If we don't think too much about the future, we could do a good job."
