Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1507502
Marquez To Ducati? S peculation was rife on the eve of the San Marino GP that Marc Marquez is ready to leave Honda at the close of 2023, with a switch to Gresini Ducati a very real possibility. The eight-time World Cham - pion's four-year contract with HRC doesn't run out until 2024. But the first 11 races of this year have been such an unmitigated disaster that Marquez has been seeking alternatives. He admitted as much in an interview with Spanish broad - caster DAZN, which was aired on Thursday. "Out of respect for other brands, I won't say who, how, or what happened. But there have been contacts, obvi - ously." Heading into the Misano MotoGP round last weekend, Marquez was 19th in the World Championship. What's worse is he has only finished two full- length races prior and has been reduced to a bit-part figure in a series he used to dominate. Clearly, something has to give. Many pointed to Monday's post-race test here as crucial for his future. It's then when Honda will roll out an early version of its 2024 RC213V. But consider - ing HRC is so far off the leading manufacturers—the closest Marquez has finished to a vic- tor this year is 21 seconds—it's unrealistic to think Honda will suddenly reverse its fortunes over one winter. On Thursday, September 8, German publication Speedweek reported Marquez's mind has already been made up: he's leaving Honda. And with Franco Morbidelli poised to join Pramac Ducati, the only viable seat re - mains at Gresini, where brother Alex is currently riding. While official confirmation is some way off, there weren't figures in the paddock who were at least denying this is possible. Asked on Thursday whether he has already made his deci - sion regarding next year, the 30-year-old said, "I have a con- tract for next year with Honda." Pressed on whether that is his decision for next year, he repeated, "I have a contract for next year with Honda." Marquez did admit his current situation means he's not having fun. And for him, there is little point in being here when he isn't having fun. "It's true, and I always say, for me, it has no meaning to ride a bike or to be here a lot of years without fighting at least for top-five, top-seven positions," he said. "Because then, as a rider, I don't have fun. Some riders have fun fighting for the back posi - tions, maybe. But all athletes, all riders, have fun if they are there in the front. "For me it's so difficult to keep now the motivation. But when you are in those moments, you need to keep your routine. And you need to keep your working. "At the moment there is nobody with the Honda that is much faster than me, so I feel competitive, and I try to keep the motivation in that way. But it's true that for the future, I hope sooner than later, to be fight - ing again for that minimum top seven-eight positions, top-five positions. That means that you are there on the top. Maybe not every race, but at least you are there." Neil Morrison WIND IN THE P66 Marc Marquez's time at Honda might be nearer to the end than expected.