Marc Márquez frustrated at missing the podium: "I wasn't riding properly"

On a circuit made tricky by precarious grip, Marc Márquez quickly found himself in direct combat for third place. Following Fabio Di Giannantonio, the Spanish rider tried to apply pressure, but was unable to launch a decisive attack.

As the laps progressed, the limits became apparent, particularly during braking, a key sector on this technical track. This difficulty was compounded by track conditions deemed especially treacherous. "It was a good battle with Fabio [Di Giannantonio]. I wasn't riding properly, I struggled today, I couldn't respond. The conditions today were critical, the track was slippery, it was harder, we'll see for the next races."

After an encouraging start to the race behind the Italian, Marc Márquez failed to maintain the same level of performance over the long term, forced to deal with a lack of confidence under braking. "Behind Fabio, I felt good at the beginning. I couldn't brake as I wanted, and I started to suffer a bit."

Facing stiff competition, especially from Aprilia at the start of this season, the eight-time world champion knows there is still work to be done to close the gap. "I need to keep working on my riding on this bike to get back on the Aprilia; we're still far behind them on these first two circuits." Finishing fourth, Marc Márquez leaves without a podium but with clear lessons learned, in a start to the season where the hierarchy is still being built.

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