Marc Márquez’s debut with the Official Ducati team was nothing short of perfect. He achieved the pole position, his 95th in the World Cup, and his 67th in the queen class, a record that surpasses anyone else. But what’s more impressive is that he dominated the sprint from start to finish, giving no one else a chance to catch up. As he celebrated his victory, he was joined by his brother, Álex, who secured second place, and their father, Juliá, couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with pride.
Márquez’s joy was palpable as he reflected on his perfect Saturday. “I’m very happy, but I don’t want to get carried away by that happiness,” he said, choosing to remain cautious. “I have to keep my feet on the floor because we know that tomorrow is the important thing, and it’s where you have to finish off the weekend in the best way.” With his vast experience, Márquez is no stranger to pressure, and he’s well aware that he needs to stay focused to maintain his momentum.
One key aspect Márquez is working on is not to exaggerate. He knows that having too much confidence can be his greatest rival, making it difficult for him to gauge his limits. To avoid this, he’s constantly doing an “auto-track” to find the perfect balance. “I’m finding a lot of speed, and I feel very comfortable on the motorcycle,” he noted. However, he remains aware that the championship is long and that a lot can change from one day to another.
When asked about his chances of winning the title, Álex Márquez was refreshingly honest. “I answer you sincerely, no, it’s not possible,” he said. “You have to be realistic; Marc has the experience and has won a lot.” Nevertheless, Álex believes in the power of dreaming and working hard, and he’s determined to give it his all and see where he ends up at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia, another contender for the title, is taking a more cautious approach. He saved third place in the sprint but wasn’t entirely satisfied with his performance. “I’m happy at 60-70 percent,” he said, acknowledging that he has work to do to catch up with Márquez and Álex.
As the dust settles on the first race, Márquez finds himself in the lead, 5.29 years after his last triumph. It’s a perfect start, and the question on everyone’s mind is: can he maintain this momentum? With his years of experience and his determination to stay focused, it’s likely that Márquez will be a force to be reckoned with this season. The real question is, can anyone catch up to him?