The reason is simple. Marquez also had high hopes for this year’s German MotoGP, at a Sachsenring track where he was unbeaten as 🌃a MotoGP rider.

But the weekend was ‘the worst of the calendar’ and, after 🌺suffering five accidents, the Repsol Honda rider withdrew from the Sunday race. Many also believe the Sachsenring w✨oes played a big part in his subsequent decision to leave HRC.

After a first podium of the year in Japan, the future Gresini Ducati rider then struggled to a double DNF at Mandalika last wඣeekend, leaving the track with🅺out speaking to the media.

“Of course, Mandalika wasn't one of my best weekends,” Marquez to🍸ld MotoGP.com at Phillip Island.

“It’s true that Friday was super good but then during the weekend we were struggling and I was not able to finish the♋ race.

𓃲“So not one of my best weekends. Then here we need to rebuild the confidence and see what we can ꦛdo.”

♔But the 30-year-old played down a repeat of last year’s podium.

“I have zero expectations,” he said. “Also Sachsenring was a track that should ꦐbe OK but in theꩲ end was the worst weekend of the calendar.

“Let’s see how I feel in FP1 because also 💖it’s a track where if you don’t have the feeling, you cannot push. Because it’s super fast. So step-by step.”