Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez celebrated a hard-earned second-place finish at the German Grand Prix like a victory. This comes after a rollercoaster weekend that saw him battle injuries, mechanical issues, and on-track incidents.
Marquez, previously dubbed the "King of Sachsenring" for his dominance at the German circuit, had his sights set on a record-extending 12th win. However, his hopes were dashed on Friday when a practice crash resulted in a fractured finger and bruised ribs.
Further challenges arose with technical problems and an unfavorable starting position on the grid, making overtaking on the notoriously difficult track a daunting task. Marquez even described the German GP as his "most difficult weekend" of the season so far.
From Struggles to Podium: A "Sanfermines" Fightback
Despite the adversity, Marquez displayed exceptional grit, launching a remarkable comeback during Sunday's race. He surged into the top ten on the opening lap and steadily carved his way through the pack, ultimately securing a surprise podium finish.
This marked his fourth top-three finish this season, and the joy of sharing the podium with his younger brother Alex was evident. However, Marquez didn't shy away from acknowledging the frustrations of a weekend filled with obstacles.
"This feels like a win," he declared. "The race was incredible! I never expected to finish on the podium."
He compared the weekend to the Sanfermines festival in Spain, known for its exhilarating yet perilous bull runs. "We leave with a good taste, but it was a bad weekend with lessons to be learned," he admitted.
Pushing Through Pain to Ride in "Marquez Mode"
Marquez revealed that Saturday's session required heavy painkillers due to his sore ribs, not the fractured finger. Fortunately, a full night's recovery allowed him to return to his aggressive riding style on Sunday.
"The most important thing is that I woke up feeling much better today," he explained. "I told my team I could ride aggressively, in 'Marquez mode.'" While the broken finger remained a concern, it wasn't a major limitation compared to the pain in his ribs. He emphasized that a clean race without the Friday crash could have put him in contention for the win alongside Bagnaia and Martin.
A Race-Changing Incident and a Podium Battle with his Brother
Marquez also discussed a late-race clash with Franco Morbidelli while battling for fourth position. The contact caused him to lose valuable time, but it also served as a turning point in his race strategy.
"We started by managing the tires, aiming for a gradual comeback," he explained. "The contact with Morbidelli was unexpected, and it cost me a lot of time."
He described two earlier instances where Morbidelli went wide, prompting him to capitalize on the third opportunity. However, Morbidelli aggressively defended his position, resulting in a significant collision. "That contact ignited a fire in me," Marquez said. "It was all or nothing from that point on."
The final laps saw Marquez catching his brother Alex, creating a dilemma about a potential risky overtake. Ultimately, both brothers secured podium positions, making the decision a moot point.
"We were both fighting for podiums in the last laps, and that made it easier," he concluded.
