Sustaining a Long Career in MotoGP: Marc Marquez Shares His Concerns
In the world of Road Racing, Marc Marquez reflects on the challenges of sustaining a long career in MotoGP, citing the exceptionally high competitive level in the series. This sentiment comes as Aleix Espargaro announces his retirement from MotoGP at the end of the 2024 season, marking the end of a grand prix career that began in the 125cc class back in 2004. Espargaro has consistently raced in MotoGP from 2012 to 2024.
The Challenge of Maintaining a Long Career
As Marquez prepares to join the factory Ducati squad next year, he will become the longest-standing rider on the grid, embarking on his 13th campaign in the premier class. When asked if riders could expect to have careers as long as Espargaro’s, Marquez expressed his concerns, stating:
“For me, I think it’s super tricky for the teams… Why? Because it looks like in these last years… in the end, the rider makes the difference. But it depends a lot on the machine, and it looks like the level is super equal.”
He added, “So, if you check the lap times, you see most of the riders deserve [to be in] MotoGP. But in the end, also coming from Moto2, there are riders pushing a lot. So, it’s difficult to have a long career. It’s the popular sentence: it’s not difficult to arrive, it’s difficult to keep the level.”
The Example of Valentino Rossi
While Marquez, who turns 32 next year, could theoretically race on for another decade, Valentino Rossi’s example serves as a reminder of the challenges of maintaining a long career. Rossi retired in 2021 at the age of 42, following a premier class career that spanned 11 years after his last championship win. Despite struggling to find victory in his later years, Rossi’s legacy in MotoGP remains unmatched.
Marquez’s Determination to Excel
Marquez himself has faced a challenging period, going without a grand prix win since 2021, while battling ongoing injury woes and uncompetitive Honda machinery. However, his determination to excel in the world of Racing Events remains unwavering.
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