Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez admitted to Ducati that the Hungarian Grand Prix was becoming too much for his right shoulder as he beat Pedro Acosta for his 100th career win.
The Spaniard grabbed a clean sweep at Balaton Park, marking his first Grand Prix victory since Misano last year. Having returned from his surgery at Mugello, Marquez was backed as the favourite for the win at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
He had been playing down expectations all weekend, but he got the better of Acosta on Saturday and Sunday to grab maximum points. It was a remarkable achievement, and, unsurprisingly, given his recent injuries, it was a race that took its toll on Marquez.
Of all 100 of Marc Marquez’s victories, which one is his BEST?
Marc Marquez ‘couldn’t take it anymore’ with his right shoulder during Hungarian GP
Marquez was not expected to be strong in close combat at Balaton Park, but that is exactly what he was as he enjoyed a brilliant battle with his future Ducati teammate. Acosta put up a valiant fight, but ultimately had to settle for P2.
Angel Charte praised Marquez’s ‘huge heart’ after his victory, admitting that he had doubts over his fitness and whether he could recover from his injuries. The Ducati rider revealed the extent of the physical challenge in parc ferme on Sunday.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend
On Ducati’s official YouTube channel, Marquez told the team that he ‘couldn’t take it anymore’ with his left arm and right shoulder. Balaton Park is an anti-clockwise circuit, putting more strain on the left side, while the Spaniard had recently had surgery on the right shoulder.
Ducati chief Luigi Dall’Igna admitted to Marquez: “Marc, I don’t know if you’re more tired… Or me…” He jokingly replied: “Yes, you’re killing me,” before discussing the race with his engineers: “I always missed turn one,” he said.
An engineer replied: “Pedro too… the gap always fluctuated within three tenths.” Marquez then revealed the trouble he was having: “My arm was so tired I couldn’t take it anymore… And my shoulder too… The foot is nothing.”
Where do Ducati rank among MotoGP’s greatest constructors?
Davide Tardozzi tells Marc Marquez ‘I’m never calm with you’ after Hungarian GP win
Davide Tardozzi says any other rider would quit MotoGP if they were in Marquez’s position with his injuries. He admitted after the race that the 33-year-old was still not fully fit at Balaton Park.
Marquez had also been causing Tardozzi stress with his strategy in Hungary, as he insisted on using the medium compound tyre. The Ducati team manager was impressed with his pace in the race, as he told him in parc ferme: “38.3… On lap 20.”
Marquez then rubbed in his choice of tyre, saying: “It was the medium tyre strategy… Don’t worry. It was the medium tyre strategy.” Tardozzi replied: “I’m never calm with you…” before embracing his rider.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
