Grand Prix Racing: Marquez Falls Short at Mugello
In the high-intensity Grand Prix racing event at Mugello, Marc Marquez finally managed to overtake Enea Bastianini on the 18th lap, after relentless pursuit throughout the day. His sights were then set on Pramac’s Jorge Martin, who held second place as the race approached its climax.
However, Bastianini retaliated with two laps remaining, reclaiming third position at the entrance to Scarperia and demoting Marquez to fourth. As Bastianini went on to execute a remarkable overtaking maneuver on Martin at the final corner, Marquez lost touch with the leading trio, ultimately finishing over two seconds behind them in fourth.
Marquez’s Podium Streak Ends
This outcome marked the end of Marquez’s three-race podium streak in 2024, with his deficit to championship leader Martin widening to 35 points after seven of the 20 rounds.
Post-Race Reflections
Reflecting on his Mugello result, the 31-year-old explained that he had worn down his tires excessively while chasing Bastianini for third, leaving him without the pace to challenge in the final laps.
“I said to you that for me, it doesn’t matter [where I finish]. We know what our right position is right now, and we know that here Pecco was super strong,” Marquez stated. “In fact, he did an incredible weekend. But one more time, we were very close to the top 24 bikes. We were fighting for the top, and I was enjoying it, so I’m super happy about the weekend overall.”
Marquez revealed that he received two warnings while entering the opening right-hander, prompting him to back off from the fight and secure fourth position behind the trio of GP24-equipped riders.
“The front temperature went up, the front pressure went up,” he said. “I tried to come back, I tried to open a gap and come back, just tried to see what was possible to do. You can see how I braked in Turn 1 with both tires, both tires were sliding. I said one time is okay, but two times not anymore.”
A Six-Time MotoGP Champion Speaks
As a six-time MotoGP champion, Marquez joined the satellite Gresini squad with an impressive record, making him the most successful rider in the history of the premier class. When asked how difficult it was to concede defeat in the Italian GP, given his past successes, Marquez said: “[It was] easy because I won a lot but I suffered a lot. And the last four years, I suffered much more than I won. So, it’s not [hard] anymore. I try today, and I save some moments, but it was not possible. So, for me, fourth place here in Mugello is a good result.”
🔗 Source
