As euphoric as Marc Marquez’s celebrations over lastly returning to the highest step of the MotoGP podium had been final week at Aragon, he by no means claimed that he was about to renew his previous domination.
And although the headline instances from Friday at Misano had been excellent – second in each classes, simply 0.037 seconds behind championship chief Jorge Martin within the morning and the closest challenger to world champion Pecco Bagnaia within the afternoon – the general tempo advised this will probably be a weekend when the decrease steps of the rostrum are the restrict.
Whereas Bagnaia was capable of reel off plentiful laps within the mid to excessive 1m31s vary (and felt no ill-effects from his large Aragon crash as soon as the painkillers had been deployed), Marquez solely received into that tempo sporadically and was typically slower.
There have been components the Gresini Ducati rider might’ve provided as mitigation – visitors on his closing run then a yellow flag for Aleix Espargaro crashing – however he doubted both made a distinction.
“Pecco was sooner,” Marquez concluded. “For me that second place was an actual one.”
Although he stated he “felt good, the tempo assault is working”, he’s positive “Bagnaia and Martin will do a step” when qualifying begins and is simply trying to be within the high 4.
He was under no circumstances shocked to “really feel gradual” within the observe’s third sector “which is right-right-right-right” and the place he was solely ninth quickest, earlier than regaining floor within the left-handers of the ultimate a part of the observe.
“I’ve to enhance in that T3, particularly Flip 11, however it is going to be tough for me,” stated Marquez.
”My goal is to attempt to not lose so much there. We’re dropping at one other two factors however there we will lose.
“We’ve different robust factors the place we have to benefit from our driving model and our bike.”
The Aragon win was an explosion of enjoyment and a reminder of what was his norm. Nevertheless it’s getting that ‘norm’ nearer to what he desires that’s Marquez’s actual focus now, greater than notching up just a few extra wins. He wouldn’t have fought so arduous to get a top-spec Ducati for 2025 if episodic success was his solely purpose.
“The step is to attempt to work on the consistency,” stated Marquez.
“That’s the greatest distinction between a champion and a great rider.
“Now’s the time to work on that consistency.
“Right this moment the arrogance was super-high however I used to be tremendous centered to not exaggerate, and this would be the key.”
