Four seasons, four now, since 2019, means that Marc Márquez cannot compete for the MotoGP world title. The fateful crash at Jerez 2020, the broken right humerus, four operations, double vision problems and an incapable Honda have happened in the last four years. At that time, any driver would have thrown in the towel in his effort to become great again.
But not the multiple champion from Cervera. Can Márquez do it this year in 2024, at 31 years old? It is the great unknown of the new World Cup that starts today in Qatar, the longest in history (21 races), in which Pecco Bagnaia's Ducati will once again be, without discussion, the main favorite.
The only discussion about his triplet is understood to come from the internal competition of the Borgo Panigale motorcycles, from two of the neighboring Desmosedici satellites: the Pramac of Jorge Martín and the Gresini of Marc Márquez.
The Madrid native already put him in serious trouble last year, resolved in Cheste's last appointment. And the Catalan is expected back in the fight this year, now, on the back of a Ducati that should give him what the Honda, his motorcycle for the last 11 years, did not give him: safety, speed and the ability to fight for victories. without risking your physique in every curve.
Rivals, even with small mouths, suspect that Marc will return this year to being a little more like the untouchable rider he was before, the one from 2019. Pit Beirer, KTM sports director, admitted it, for example: “Marc Márquez will be competitive with the Ducati from day one. He is a brilliant rider and now has a very powerful bike. This combination will be very dangerous,” commented the German manager, expressing what the majority thinks and does not say.
“Marc is very strong and we are going to see him right away, he has a very good bike and he is Marc Márquez,” Jorge Martín agreed with that opinion, who has never had the one from Cervera among his most beloved rivals...
The change from the 93 to the Ducati, the most solvent motorcycle on the grid, and his landing in a familiar and close team like Gresini Racing, together with his brother Àlex, are the best environment for the growth and strengthening of the Catalan, whose adaptation The Desmosedici during the preseason has been eloquent and promising: from 14th or 16th to being the fourth fastest rider, just 3 tenths behind Bagnaia.
“Surely for Marc, being in an environment like Gresini can make a difference, because he has lost a little stimulus during these somewhat dark years. Being in a very familiar, very playful environment without too much pressure will help you,” analyzes Enea Bastianini, rival of the official Ducati team. “Marc is a very talented driver, so he will have no problems being competitive. Obviously it is difficult to know if he will be the protagonist in all the races, but what is certain is that he is a driver who should not be underestimated,” says the Italian.
And what does Marc Márquez think?
The Cervera rider, in his cautious line since changing teams and motorcycles, wants to avoid raising expectations for his possible return among the candidates. Marc is aware that 2024 will be a turning point in his career, a revalidation that will mark whether he continues to be a competitive driver or is swallowed up by the mass of the troupes.
“My goal is to be competitive again. If that happens, you will see me smile. But that doesn't mean fighting for the title, it means finishing in the top five or six. In any case, that won't happen in the first race. If my decline has already started we will see it this year. But this cannot be seen in the first race,” commented the man from Cervera yesterday in Qatar, where he received a visit from a goat, courtesy of his team, very joking.
“It seems to me that they are making a story for our social networks and, suddenly, I saw myself, yes, with this goat in the paddock and I even thought it was funny. It's great to have a good time before the GP starts, really.”
The first race of the 2024 World Cup, in Qatar, will be at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. This Friday, first free practice sessions (1:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.), and on Saturday, the first Sprint race of the season (5:00 p.m.) with 11 laps.
