Marc Marquez, Sachsen-King!

The Spaniard returned to the top step of the podium by claiming his 11th success in a row in Germany.

Published on 20/06/2021 à 12:55

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Marc Marquez achieved his first MotoGP success since November 2019. ©DPPI

581 is the number of days that have passed since Marc Marquez's last victory at the 2019 Valencia Grand Prix... Even though he missed pole position on Saturday for the first time since 2009 at the Sachsenring, the Catalan was untouchable in the race.

« I don't realize yet what's happening, confided Marquez. It was a difficult time, and still is. This victory will help us move forward. We arrived here on a series of three falls. It wasn't easy mentally or physically. But when I crossed the line, I saw all the people who helped me be here today. In this situation, it's impossible to get out of it alone. "

Author of an excellent start from the second row on the grid, Marquez had to jostle for the first laps with Aleix Espargaro. But after getting rid of the Aprilia rider, he opened up a rather comfortable lead over his pursuers despite a few drops of rain.

Miguel Oliveira, winner in Catalonia, tried to catch up, but his rival Honda was the strongest. Marquez thus becomes the second driver to win eight times in a row on the same circuit in the premier category with Giacomo Agostini (eight times at Spa-Francorchamps and nine at Imatra).

« When I saw the few drops of rain on my visor, I said to myself: “It’s my time!”, added Marquez. We lack grip, so even with a few drops of rain on the track, the grip remains the same for me. I maintained the pace and this gap was sufficient. Miguel was faster than me. I managed to manage and stay focused. It was tricky to take risks after three falls in a row, but I believed in myself and pushed through. "

Despite a somewhat behind start to the race, fabio quartararo took his difficulty patiently to gradually move up the hierarchy. Above all, he managed to gain the advantage over his two opponents in the general standings: Jack Miller and Johann Zarco.

« It was a tough race, declared the Nice resident. We suffered all weekend. This morning we noticed that our pace was good, but not enough for victory. Miguel and Marc were notably faster. I had a good start, but I negotiated the first corner badly. They got away and my pace was two to three tenths slower. My goal was to finish ahead of the Ducatis and finish on the podium… and we did it. "

By finishing ahead of Miller and Zarco, Quartararo is now 22 points ahead of his compatriot before the next meeting at Assen in a few days, a circuit on which he has only driven once in 2019, but he is However, pole position and a podium were awarded…

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