Marc Marquez once again impressively demonstrated what an exceptional talent he is at Mugello – instead of booing, people should give this great champion the recognition he deserves
Sometimes Marc Marquez tries to play tricks on us. For example, when he says that a track doesn’t suit him very well and he has to “defend” and make sure he doesn’t lose too many championship points to his rivals.
But I think he actually means it. Because he’s different from his most successful days with Honda. The serious arm injury and the many tough years have shaped him and taught him to be humble and to see things differently.
That’s why I think he’s sometimes surprised himself that he’s so dominant on tracks that theoretically don’t suit him so well. Marc Marquez had only celebrated one MotoGP victory at Mugello before.
This weekend was a statement of his superior riding skills. It was in Italy, of all places, that he celebrated his 100th pole position and his 93rd victory. You may like Marc Marquez or not, but you have to acknowledge without envy what an extraordinary racer he is.
It’s a shame that the applause at Mugello was mixed with boos and jeers, and there’s no place for that in MotoGP. Because anyone who puts on a great show for us fans at speeds of over 350 km/h deserves our respect.
Some of you will surely have expected Francesco Bagnaia to have slept badly, figuratively speaking, in our traditional Monday column today. But as I already wrote here after Le Mans, we shouldn’t constantly bash him.
After all, Bagnaia could have been the main protagonist in all nine Monday columns so far this year. I think the desperate looks on the faces of his wife Domizia and his sister Carola showed how painful the defeat at Mugello was.
Bagnaia is handling the situation like a gentleman. He clearly states that Marc and Alex are simply faster. Week after week, he explains the same problems he has with the poor feeling on the front wheel.
I believe him when he says he has this bad feeling. Together with the engineers, they tried everything with the setup, but even after six months, no solution was found. Maybe it’s also a mental thing, because at this high level, that can make all the difference.
I think it’s wrong to say that Bagnaia became world champion solely because he had the best bike. He is one of the best racers and will go down in history as a worthy world champion.
But Marc Marquez is simply better. He is one of those truly great champions that history has produced only a few of – the kind who define an entire era. Exceptional talents who will still be talked about in 50 or 100 years’ time.
We’re not quite halfway through the season yet, but the world championship is basically decided. Only injuries could change the order of the top three, but of course you wouldn’t wish that on any rider.
I think we should show Marc Marquez the respect he deserves in the remaining races and just enjoy watching one of the best riders of all time at what is perhaps the peak of his career.
Many would have thrown in the towel in his situation during the difficult years. The fact that he fought his way back with iron will and is such a superior rider is an extraordinary story that we will still be telling our grandchildren – as the saying goes.