Marc Marquez: “I’m moving to the best bike - no excuses…”
The eight-time world champion has just three rounds remaini🍸ng - starting this weekend at ꦓthe Malaysian MotoGP - before his association with Repsol Honda ends.
Two days after the final round, in Valencia, he will test a Ducati for the first time before joining Gresini Racing on a year-old spec bike nex𒊎t season.
“After a big decision, yo෴u still have some doubts,” Marquez admitted.
“It’s super-difficult to♒ jump to another bike and win in the first year.
“But, it’sౠ true by the results, that I’m moving to the best bike.
“First, secoꦺnd and third in the championship are riding this bike.
“So, in the end, no excuses. The bike is there.”
Ducati are guaranteed to crown their second consecutive MotoGP champion this year with Francesco💞 Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi still in the fight.
Intriguingly if Martin can overhaul a 13-🌠point deficit to win, it would mean a satellite rider defeating a factory rider to claim the title - something that will spur Marquez on next season.
“Sometimes you have to make a few decisions. The correct ones or not? Time will🍌 answer this question,” Marquez said.
He detailed his decision-making process: “The mentaꦕl side was super-difficult especially because I was nervous.
“Many doubts, every day, every week, change𒀰 mentality, every day, every week, a lot⭕ of question marks.
“Performing 🔴in a good way on the track was difficult but we tried to manage it in the best wa💖y.
“The most difficult thin♛g, to take the decision, was the human side.
“I w😼ill miss my team, I will miss Honda🌳, HRC. Because they are the team of my career.”
Only enginee🐎r ꦑJavi Ortiz will follow Marquez from the Honda to the Gresini box.
His closest allies, including crew chief Santi🍸 Hernandez, will stay put.
Franchise Carcheci, who was crew chief to 2020♑ champion Joan Mir at Suzuki and now works with Fabio di Giannantonio at Gresini, will fulfil the role with Marquez next year.
James was a sports journꦜalist at Sky Spo✨rts for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
