Marc Marquez did feel Fermin Aldeguer threat in MotoGP Austrian GP

The tyre-whispering rookie’s spectacular surge to a close second made even Marc Marquez grateful to see the chequered flag

Marc Marquez has admitted he was briefly concerned that a charging Fermin Aldeguer might snatch victory from him late in MotoGP's Austrian Grand Prix.

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MotoGPMotoGP Austrian GP: Marc Marquez outduels Marco Bezzecchi for victory

Gresini Ducati rider Aldeguer was running as low as ninth early in the race following a hairy moment at the Turn 2 chicane on the first lap. But then, on a track known to be difficult for overtaking, the rookie got his head down and fought his way to within a few tenths of Marquez with three laps remaining.

Marquez, who had only been concerned with passing Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) as the pair fought a private duel for most of the race, said he had been unaware of the 20-year-old’s rise through the field until around two-thirds distance.

That’s when the six-time MotoGP champion decided to make his ultimately successful move on Bezzecchi.

“I was [only] controlling Marco,” said factory Ducati rider Marquez. “When I saw that the group behind was two or three seconds back, I just forgot to check on the board. And then immediately I saw plus one, somebody, I didn’t know who.

“And then when I attacked Marco, I saw that his name was Aldeguer. And then I started to be a bit worried because yesterday we analysed between the Ducati riders and he was the one that keeps the tyre life better.”

Marquez’s fears came true when Aldeguer passed Bezzecchi for second with four laps left and then continued to close on the leader.

Fermin Aldeguer, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Though Aldeguer ultimately failed to launch a decisive challenge on Marquez, who also mentors him, the idea of victory did cross his mind for a moment.

“Today, the race was incredible,” said Aldeguer. “It was one of those races that you [could never imagine]. I didn’t do my best start. I lost some positions. But the feeling was always [getting] better.

“I closed lap by lap on Bezzecchi. And I said, ‘Maybe today I could win the race’. [But] it was very difficult to fight with Marc. When you are close, he pushes 100% and he’s an eight-time world champion.”

As it was, Aldeguer netted the best MotoGP finish of his rookie season, one step up from the third place he scored at the French Grand Prix in May.

Still on a visible high after the race, Aldeguer had to remind himself of what a good result that was: “We are rookies, we have to continue to work. Don’t think about the victory now. Continue to push.”