Marc Marquez, now 12 rounds into his Ducati MotoGP career, has finally tasted victory aboard the Desmosedici, marking a significant turning point in his season. The Spanish rider, who initially struggled with the Ducati GP23, has shown noticeable improvement in recent rounds, particularly at the Red Bull Ring and MotorLand Aragon.
Reflecting on his recent success, Marquez shared insights during the post-race press conference in Aragon. “A few GPs ago, I started to ride more naturally,” he revealed. “For some reason, I’ve begun to understand the 2024 rear tire better. I’m excited to see if we can continue this progress at other circuits.”
Marquez attributed part of his progress to a shift in focus. Instead of attempting to mirror the setups of the GP24 riders. He and his team concentrated on maximizing the potential of their own machine, the Desmosedici GP23. “We were looking a lot at the 2024 bikes, but they’re different,” Marquez explained. “We need to ride with our setup, with our performance, and believe in ourselves. Our technicians and team have done a fantastic job. Step by step, I’m starting to ride smoother and more instinctively, and that’s made all the difference.”
This renewed confidence has allowed Marquez to bring back some of the characteristics that made him a standout on the Honda, particularly his prowess in left-hand corners. During the Spanish Grand Prix, Marquez used his skills in these corners to challenge Francesco Bagnaia for victory. Bagnaia, who acknowledged Marquez’s strength in left-hand corners at Aragon, noted that Marquez was using up to four degrees more lean angle than other Ducati riders in these sections.
When asked about his ability to excel in left-hand corners, Marquez playfully deflected the question back to Bagnaia. “I’ll share my secret if he shares his for the fast right corners,” Marquez quipped. “Each rider has their strong points. Unfortunately for me, most circuits favor right-hand corners, but on the left ones, I feel super good.”
As Marquez continues to adapt to the Ducati, his recent performances suggest that he’s finding his stride, blending his natural riding style with the unique demands of the GP23. This newfound synergy could spell trouble for his competitors as the season progresses.
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