Latest news with #MarcMarquez
France 24
4 days ago
- Automotive
- France 24
MotoGP world champion Martin seeks Aprilia exit
The Spaniard won the 2024 title on Ducati's satellite Pramac bike, but left the Italian manufacturer after being overlooked in favour of Marc Marquez for the factory ride. With his title defence wrecked by injury, he has only managed to compete in Qatar so far this season, he believes a clause in his contract allows him to walk away at the end of the year. The clause he refers to gives him the option to quit if, after round six at Le Mans, he was no longer in contention for the world championship. After seven rounds, he has yet to register a point and is 196 behind leader Marc Marquez, ruling out any possibility of retaining the title. Aprilia, according to reports, argue that because of his litany of injuries, this clause is invalid and the two-year contract stands. Martin took to social media to state his case. "At no point have I breached the contract. "When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that if certain conditions were not met, I would reserve the right to decide my future for 2026. This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract offer at that time. "Faced with the need to make a decision by a date set in the contract, I have chosen to exercise my right to be released for the 2026 season. I've always done so with respect, clarity, and the sole intention of taking control of my future as a professional athlete. "Unfortunately, the circumstances caused by the crashes - while they do not alter the agreement - have influenced this phase. That's why I've always been open to dialogue with Aprilia about extending this evaluation period to a certain number of grand prix races starting from my return." His statement concluded that he had always been honest with Aprilia. "All I ask is for my wishes and the spirit of what we agreed upon to be respected," he wrote. Martin has endured a calamitous 2025. He was first injured during pre-season testing in Sepang and had to undergo surgery at the beginning of February. He then suffered another crash which necessitated another operation on his left hand at the end of February, just before the opening round of the season in Thailand. The 27-year-old finally made his first appearance of the season in Qatar only to slide out shortly after the halfway mark at Lusail suffering a hemopneumothorax -- broken ribs, and blood and air in the space around his lungs. © 2025 AFP
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Eyewitness News
Marc Marquez says Silverstone focus is protecting MotoGP lead
PARIS - After Johann Zarco ended a year of Ducati domination by surfing to victory in the rain at Le Mans, the spotlight returns to championship leader Marc Marquez at the British MotoGP this weekend. Marquez nursed his bike to second in the main race in France as his main title rivals, brother Alex and factory Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia failed to score points. Marc Marquez leads his younger brother, who rides for Ducati satellite Gresini, by 22 points and Bagnaia, who also crashed in Saturday's sprint at Le Mans, by 51 points. "Le Mans was super tricky," Marquez said on Thursday. "On Sunday we took the correct decision to manage the risk and to finish the race because it was super easy to make a mistake." "I scored some very important points for the championship." Marquez has been in dominant form, winning three main races and all six sprints this season as he chases his seventh world title but his first since 2019. He has a reputation for a win-at-all-costs style but said that at Silverstone where he has only won once, back in 2014, the focus will be on his championship lead. "We will try first of all to score points. That is the most important thing. It is not one of the best circuits for me." While the forecast is for a relatively cool weekend in England, Marquez said he was happy that the only rain forecast is for Saturday's sprint. "When you are leading a championship you always prefer dry races because it means low risk," he said. For Bagnaia, the goal at Silverstone will be to avoid falling hopelessly behind his teammate. "The goal is to have more confidence in my front tyre so I can ride the way I want," said the Italian who won at Silverstone in 2022 on the way to the first of his two consecutive world titles. "I've always been very strong at Silverstone in recent years. I love the track and its atmosphere, and I can't wait to be back in the pits." Speculation swirled round Silverstone on Thursday over the future of one rider who has yet to win a point this season: reigning world champion Jorge Martin. After swapping, not necessarily of his own free will, his Ducati for an Aprilia during the off-season, the Spaniard has not competed in a single full Grand Prix this year following a string of injuries. He is reportedly thinking of leaving Aprilia at the end of the season, even though his contract runs until the end of 2026. 'I'M STILL HAPPY' Aprilia issued a statement on Thursday insisting that Martin's contract "must be respected by both parties". The Italian outfit said "it expects other teams to refrain from making any kind of offer to riders who are under contract." Meanwhile, Zarco said he was digesting his unexpected win in his home race. "I'm still happy," he said on Thursday. "When I rewatch the race, I see that everything happened so perfectly. "Watching it from home was strange because I was asking 'how did it happen' because always the race is so difficult and this one was not too difficult." Zarco's parents were at Le Mans to watch him become the first home rider to win the French Grand Prix sice 1954, but he said he was happy they would not be at Silverstone. "They stay home," he said. "My parents are not from the motorcycle world so I took care of them a lot. I wanted everything perfect for them. "It's pressure to take care of old people. So I'm feeling better alone here in Silverstone."
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Marquez's comeback from 'nightmare' to contender
Marc Marquez is a 2025 MotoGP title words would have been unthinkable to the eight-time world champion two seasons ago when he was living a "nightmare" after suffering broken bones, and severe concussion, and needing a number of six-time MotoGP champion had not won a race for nearly 1,000 days - something that would have seemed impossible as he won four consecutive championships from 2016 to 2019."Two years ago I was maybe in the deepest moment of my career because in 2020 it started - the nightmare," the 32-year-old told BBC Sport."I didn't know what [the future] would be, but I had some difficult decisions [to make] - risky decisions."In 2023 the Spaniard told BBC Sport he was not "ready to win again". At the end of that season he left Honda - a team he was at for 11 years - and joined Gresini Racing, the satellite Ducati team."Honda were my friends and with a very good salary - I said no to all those things, just prove to myself if I was able to be fast," he leading the championship standings and racing for the factory Ducati team, he has his proof. How has he got to the point where a ninth world title - to equal fellow great Valentino Rossi - is within reach? Crashes to comeback Some fans are hailing Marquez's return to title-contending form as a comeback for the ages. It is not hard to see winning his most recent MotoGP title in 2019, Marquez has suffered a string of injuries. He broke his arm at the start of the 2020 season, which over the course of two years required four 2021 a motocross crash resulted in severe following year, double vision meant he had to miss many races, and in 2023 he broke his ankle, ribs and him, his comeback is complete - regardless of whether he wins the title."The most difficult challenge of my career... I have already achieved that - coming back from a lot of injuries. I broke many, many things just trying to improve my skills," he a solid 2024, when he claimed three feature race wins and two pole positions, he joined the factory Ducati team on a two-year contract. "The first goal was to rebuild my confidence," he said. "And rebuild the confidence means step by step to try to put in targets that you can achieve."You cannot arrive at a victory straight away. First of all you need to understand the bike, then try to finish in the top five, then a podium and then step by step fight for a victory." The need to 'adapt' and 'calculate risk' Marquez has had to change his approach to stay competitive. Once a trend setter, he is now the one having to adapt. "When I arrived in MotoGP I was fighting against big names - Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Valentino Rossi. The main difference when I arrived in MotoGP to now is that now I am fighting against the younger talents that arrive from Moto2 and they are super competitive," he said."I introduced the elbow and a new riding style and now when the younger riders arrive, they introduce another thing so I need to adapt."He has also become more aware of safety."I think more about the safety and I try to calculate more the risks - at one of the strongest and weakest points of my career it was difficult to see the risk," said Marquez, who remains the youngest MotoGP champion of all time."Ten years ago, I was like 'my body is just for riding a bike, I don't care - I am fit and I will recover', but now I understand that recovering from some injuries are super difficult." 'My mum is supporting my brother more' The last time Marquez was fighting for the title - in 2019 - his rivals were legends in the sport in Rossi and Lorenzo, who have a combined 14 world year the challenger is much closer to home, with his younger brother Alex sitting second behind him in the Marquez leads the MotoGP standings on 196 points and has a 24-point advantage over his brother with 15 races their mother has split loyalties."We are living a dream," said Marquez, whose 29-year-old brother competes for Gresini Ducati. "We are first and second in the championship together."My mum is supporting more Alex, but always joking because she says to us, 'you have enough, let him win'. "Now we are super tight because we know I can help him and he can help me. And we want the best for each other." Magic number nine Who is better - Rossi or Marc Marquez? It is the debate that continues to rage on between motorsport terms of titles in the premier class, Rossi, who retired in 2021 has seven, with nine world titles in total. Marquez has six in MotoGP - and a title in both the 125cc and Moto2 Championship, bringing his total to has 89 MotoGP race wins with Marquez on 62 before the start of the 2025 that ninth world title remains a goal for Marquez."Of course nine is a number that I would like to achieve because it is the next number in my career and we will try," he said. "And it is true it would equal Valentino Rossi in championships."
Observer
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Observer
Bezzecchi ends win drought in spectacular British MotoGP
SILVERSTONE, United Kingdom: Italy's Marco Bezzecchi won an incident-packed British MotoGP on Sunday for his first win since India in 2023 in a race at Silverstone that had two starts. The 26-year-old Aprilia rider came home ahead of France's Johann Zarco (Honda LCR), backing up his surprise win in France a fortnight ago, with championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati) just snatching third. Marquez extends his lead in the standings over his younger brother Alex. The unluckiest rider was France's 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo, who had taken pole for the third successive race and looked set for his first win since 2022. However, a technical problem on his Yamaha ended his race on the 12th lap. His misery contrasted to the joy on the exuberant Bezzecchi's face. "It's amazing, I started a new adventure, Aprilia trusted in me," said the mop-haired Italian. "I worked really hard, through some tough periods in past races but never gave up, thanks to the factory. "Thanks to my family and those who stayed close to me in all these tough moments." Zarco at 34 is the oldest rider on the circuit, but he is revelling in what is proving to be an Indian summer for him. "I cannot believe it, a very special race, good to have a second start," he said. "On the second start I got the first three corners perfectly, gained positions, then I was on the podium. "When I saw Fabio have a technical problem I even thought I could win another race." All the riders were able to take part in chapter two of the race — including both the Marquez brothers who had crashed out — as three laps had yet to be completed. Alex had gone on the opening corner and Marc on the second lap when he was leading. However, a red flag came out because there was oil on the track — resulting from a collision between Franco Morbidelli and Aleix Espargaro. Aprilia Racing's Marco Bezzecchi in action during the race Action. — Reuters Alex Marquez was understandably more cautious on the restart but still overtook Quartararo before the Frenchman retook command. Quartararo got a buffer too as Jack Miller on a satellite Yamaha bike surged into second on the second lap and Zarco moved into third. The pressure appeared to get to the two Ducati riders. They both went too wide on a corner on the third lap dropping Marc Marquez and two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia well down the field. Bagnaia's race finished on the fourth lap, the Italian coming to grief down on his knees in the gravel his head raised to the heavens and shaking his hands in despair. Miller's dreams of a podium finish disappeared on the seventh lap as the Australian was passed by Bezzecchi and Zarco and then dropped to fifth. Quartararo held a five second lead over his pursuers with 11 laps remaining but Marc Marquez was pushing and making ground through the field. Marc Marquez moved into fourth on the 11th lap, some eight seconds behind Quartararo but with the Frenchman's compatriot Zarco next in his sights. - DISCONSOLATE - However, the complexion of the race changed when disaster struck for Quartararo. The 26-year-old burst into tears, slapped his control panel and after climbing off his bike went down on his haunches sobbing with his head in his hands. The disconsolate Frenchman received a resounding round of applause as he trudged back to the Yamaha stable. His mishap left Bezzecchi in the lead, three seconds ahead of Zarco with Marc Marquez a further two seconds behind in third. Neverthless it was Marquez who had to watch himself as he came under pressure for third from Morbidelli and after back and forth on the final lap the Spaniard just got his nose in front. A rather sullen Marquez said the second start had "saved the day" allowing him to make up for the mistake in the 'first race.' His relief was nothing compared to the joy of Bezzecchi who celebrated understandably in raucous fashion with his team. — AFP
RTHK
26-05-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
Bezzecchi ends win drought with British MotoGP victory
Bezzecchi ends win drought with British MotoGP victory The win was Bezzecchi's first since the 2023 Indian Grand Prix. Photo: AFP Italy's Marco Bezzecchi won an incident-packed British MotoGP for his first win since India in 2023 in a race at Silverstone that had two starts. The 26-year-old Aprilia rider came home ahead of France's Johann Zarco (Honda LCR), backing up his surprise win in France a fortnight ago, with championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati) just snatching third. Marquez extends his lead in the standings over his younger brother Alex. The unluckiest rider was France's 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo, who had taken pole for the third successive race and looked set for his first win since 2022. However, a technical problem on his Yamaha ended his race on the 12th lap. His misery contrasted to the joy on the exuberant Bezzecchi's face. "It's amazing, I started a new adventure, Aprilia trusted in me," said the mop-haired Italian. "I worked really hard, through some tough periods in past races but never gave up, thanks to the factory. Thanks to my family and those who stayed close to me in all these tough moments." Zarco at 34 is the oldest rider on the circuit, but he is revelling in what is proving to be an Indian summer for him. "I cannot believe it, a very special race, good to have a second start," he said. "On the second start I got the first three corners perfectly, gained positions, then I was on the podium." "When I saw Fabio have a technical problem I even thought I could win another race," he added. All the riders were able to take part in chapter two of the race – including both the Marquez brothers who had crashed out – as three laps had yet to be completed. Alex had gone on the opening corner and Marc on the second lap when he was leading. However, a red flag came out because there was oil on the track -- resulting from a collision between Franco Morbidelli and Aleix Espargaro. Alex Marquez was understandably more cautious on the restart but still overtook Quartararo before the Frenchman retook command. Quartararo got a buffer too as Jack Miller on a satellite Yamaha bike surged into second on the second lap and Zarco moved into third. The pressure appeared to get to the two Ducati riders. They both went too wide on a corner on the third lap dropping Marc Marquez and two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia well down the field. Bagnaia's race finished on the fourth lap, the Italian coming to grief down on his knees in the gravel his head raised to the heavens and shaking his hands in despair. Miller's dreams of a podium finish disappeared on the seventh lap as the Australian was passed by Bezzecchi and Zarco and then dropped to fifth. Quartararo held a five second lead over his pursuers with 11 laps remaining but Marc Marquez was pushing and making ground through the field. Marc Marquez moved into fourth on the 11th lap, some eight seconds behind Quartararo but with the Frenchman's compatriot Zarco next in his sights. However, the complexion of the race changed when disaster struck for Quartararo. The 26-year-old burst into tears, slapped his control panel and after climbing off his bike went down on his haunches sobbing with his head in his hands. The disconsolate Frenchman received a resounding round of applause as he trudged back to the Yamaha stable. His mishap left Bezzecchi in the lead, three seconds ahead of Zarco with Marc Marquez a further two seconds behind in third. Neverthless it was Marquez who had to watch himself as he came under pressure for third from Morbidelli and after back and forth on the final lap the Spaniard just got his nose in front. A rather sullen Marquez said the second start had "saved the day" allowing him to make up for the mistake in the 'first race.' His relief was nothing compared to the joy of Bezzecchi who celebrated understandably in raucous fashion with his team. (AFP)
