Marc Marquez: 'My biggest MotoGP opponent is my fitness'
The only thing standing in the way of another title is his physical recovery, reckons the nine-time champion
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
Marc Marquez has ramped up the psychological pressure on his MotoGP title rivals by claiming that his sternest opponent is his own body.
The factory Ducati rider has battled injuries for years, and still hasn't fully recovered from the consequences of his fall in Indonesia last season.
But despite the state of his fitness, he is fifth in the world championship, 40 points behind leader Jorge Martin. And given his nine victories at the Sachsenring, he will go into this weekend's German Grand Prix as favourite.
On the eve of the halfway point of the season, which will be followed by MotoGP's summer break, Marquez was asked whom he saw as his biggest rival as several riders try to make a decisive move in the championship.
Rather than respectfully naming names, the wily Marquez hinted they would be powerless to stop him if he achieves full fitness in the second half of the season.
"My biggest rival - or what I'm more worried about - is my physical condition," said the Catalan. "The rest, I don't care. It's true that they are super fast, but this is my main opponent - to continue growing my level in the next races."
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
Responding to a different question about his strategic approach to a championship fight involving so many riders, Marquez again said the battle was with himself rather than others.
"Of course, if a championship is open, it means that nobody has a clear advantage." he said.
"In my opinion, for example, Marco Bezzecchi has been the fastest one during the first part of the season. But not the best one, because Jorge Martin is leading the championship.
"So, in the end, you need to approach [things] in a different way when you are fighting against one rider, or when you are fighting against four riders.
"But at the moment, my fight is another one. After the summer break, I will understand where I can arrive [finish the season]."
German GP in Photos - Friday
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
German GP - Friday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
The humble origin story of a MotoGP powerhouse
'Surgery would have ruined my season completely,' says Johann Zarco
Unravelling Fabio Di Giannantonio's crashes at the MotoGP German GP
Ryan Timms calls out Kyle Larson After Osky Challenge: 'He's a piece of sh*t'
FAA to halt flights at major D.C. airport ahead of IndyCar race
“Good things take time” says Dries Vanthoor as BMW M Team WRT continues rapid IMSA transition
Theo Pourchaire focused on new Opel Formula E programme amid doubts over WEC future
How MotoGP's summer break has revitalised Aprilia's factory team
What we learned from MotoGP’s return at the British GP
The humble origin story of a MotoGP powerhouse
Does nobody want to win the 2026 MotoGP title?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments