Marquez pleased to salvage fifth after first corner mistake

Marc Marquez’ chances of winning the Qatar Grand Prix ended at the first corner after a mistake from the world champion saw him run off the track and fall to last in the field. The Repsol Honda rider started from the front row and battled through to take a commendable fifth place finish.

Summing up his outing Marquez said:

“After the first corner I was last and I can’t be happy,” said Marquez. “In the end OK, it’s only 11 points, but they are 11 points we have already there, and the most important thing was the rhythm of the race was like the top riders. But I overtake many riders today, I push a lot all the race, in the end I finish 5th, which is not the best result, it’s the worst result in my motogp career finishing the race, but it’s like that. In Austin, we will try to change this result.

“The problem here is that if you push all the race 100% alone you can overheat the tyres, and that was the problem. When I overtake many riders, I overheat a little bit the tyres, and then immediately the temperature is coming up, and you need to cool down one or two laps, but it was not possible. I keep pushing. And I tried to recuperate one time when I was 1.2 seconds from Iannone and Lorenzo, but then I saw that the last three laps, I did a mistake, I nearly crashed one corner, and I said OK. It’s time to say OK, 11 points are enough today. It was difficult to accept, but it was like that. Also it’s important to understand that, because two years ago, I’m sure that two years ago, the end of the race will be in the gravel.”

When asked if he will have to change anything to make the podium in Texas Marquez joked, “Just change the first corner!”