Marc Marquez has finally addressed his somber demeanor on the MotoGP Austrian sprint podium. The Ducati rider insisted he was not angry at all, but rather trying to conserve energy for the main race on Sunday. Speculation arose after he finished second behind Aprilia's Jorge Martin at Spielberg, as Marquez is not typically known for being a sore loser.
Speaking to the Spanish media ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, the reigning MotoGP champion explained that he was simply focused and serious, not disrespectful of the result. "Sometimes, if you feel a certain way, there's no need to hide it, right?" he said. "In that case, I was focused, I was serious, I was breathing, trying to save as much energy as possible for Sunday, because I knew it would be a long race."
Although the Spielberg circuit is not ideal for his ongoing shoulder injury due to its many right-handed corners, the Austrian weekend was not particularly intense in terms of heat. However, it came directly after the San Marino GP at Misano. "It was a grueling weekend, coming off Misano... and all I was trying to do, and what I try to do every weekend, is to save as much energy as I can," he continued. "And if smiling or laughing out loud uses up energy, then I prefer to be serious. So, I wasn't angry or anything. I'd achieved my goal in the sprint, but Saturdays, in terms of riding, mentally, are incredibly draining."
Marquez also highlighted that sprint races are not just about what you see on track. "We are in our racing suits and still sweating," he added, referring to the podium celebrations and post-race media interviews. "All of this accumulates, it wears you down. And my job is, as I said, to manage my strength from Thursday to Sunday."
If back-to-back races require careful management, the rest of the season could see a few more low-key podium displays. The remainder of the year consists of two double-headers and, if the Qatar GP goes ahead as planned, a triple-header. However, Marquez also suggested that his recent policy of approaching certain races as damage limitation exercises has come to an end. "From now on, it's all about attacking," he said. "Okay, it might be, yes, if it happens to you, like it did to me on Sunday in Austria [amid brake difficulties], that you have to salvage what you can. But every point is important in the entire championship. But now, at this stage, everything is about attacking."
This statement comes as Marquez prepares for the Motegi circuit, which should favor him, before facing 'bogey' tracks like Mandalika, host of the Indonesian Grand Prix next weekend. With his new aggressive stance, the championship battle is expected to heat up.
Baca Juga
Maverick Vinales kembali ke MotoGP di Motegi setelah cedera bahu, namun mengaku tidak mengerti sikap KTM yang dinilainya tidak konsisten.
Fabio di Giannantonio sebut sirkuit kandang Ducati tak ada lagi setelah kekalahan di Austria. Motegi jadi ujian dengan aspal baru dan ancaman hujan.
Ai Ogura dan Carlos Ezpeleta mengunjungi Japan Sports Agency di Tokyo menjelang MotoGP Jepang 2026 untuk membahas masa depan MotoGP dan perkembangan motorsport di Jepang.
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