'I prefer to take the risk, even though it may not be a success'

Six-time MotoGP king Marc Márquez tells us, inter alia, why he quit Honda to race an indie-team Ducati in 2024, why the Ducati is MotoGP's best bike, and why he would not wish his recent injuries on anyone 

- Mat Oxley

WHY DID MARC Márquez quit a hugely lucrative factory Honda ride to race a secondhand Ducati for an independent team? 

The six-time MotoGP king ended the first half of last season crashing Honda's uncompetitive RC213V seven times during German and Dutch grands prix in the month of June. Even for Márquez, who has always ridden the ragged edge, that was a lot. He knew he could not go on like that.

After the summer break, I said to myself, "I will ride more calmly", so I started riding in a safety way,' says the 30-year-old Spaniard. But that was so boring! For me, it was like a nightmare to go to a circuit and ride in easy mode and fight for 15th place.

I said to myself, "Can I do one more year like this?" [Márquez's Honda contract was due to run to the end of 2024]. This was the main question. With my character, can I do one more year like this or will I stop racing in the middle of the season?

At one race, I was like, "Okay, I will stay with Honda". At the next, it was like..." He sighs with exasperation....I cannot continue racing like this.

In the end, I decided to leave my comfort zone, because I felt like I must do this to continue racing for longer. Honda have time to build a better bike, but athletes don't have time. I didn't want to retire and have the doubt of if, if, if... So, I had to take the risk and go there [to Gresini Ducati] and let's see. No excuses! I'm like this. I prefer to take the risk, even though it may not be a success. I have to take the risk and try.

Nothing is certain in motorcycle racing, but Márquez is moving to a team equipped with Ducati Desmosedicis, so most people in the know have no doubts that he will be a 2024 title challenger.