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Written by Nina Rogerson
Image via @motogpontnt on Twitter
In a weekend with two injured title contenders, a runaway winner in both races and, an impressive performance from a wildcard ride, it’s crazy to think we spent most of the weekend talking about the man who finished FP1 in 21st.
As an eight-time world champion, it’s not surprising to hear a lot about Marc Marquez over a race weekend, but the headlines he was making at the Italian Grand Prix were definitely something we weren’t used to. Marquez has been with Repsol Honda since he moved into the premier class in 2013. Repsol Honda is the team that he has won 6 championship titles, stood on the top step of the podium 199 times and claimed 55 pole positions with. However, last weekend in Misano, rumours that the Spaniard was considering a shock move to the satellite team of Gresini Ducati hit the paddock with full force.
On media day in Misano several journalists within the paddock started reporting that Marquez was in talks with Gresini Ducati for the 2024 season. At this point, Marc does have a contract with Repsol Honda for 2024 but it’s no secret that both him and the Japanese factory are having a difficult time with their uncompetitive RC213V.
All season long Honda have withstood the position that Marquez is free to go where he wants but Marc himself has always said that he has a contract for 2024 that he plans to withhold. However, in Misano, Marquez told Spanish TV Channel DAZN that he knew where he would be riding in 2024. This would be a seemingly normal comment if Marquez was in fact on the rider market and didn’t already have a contract for next season.
The rumours were also fuelled by a social media post made by the Spaniard in which he posted a video of himself laughing with the caption “Están pasando cosas!!” Which translates as “Things are happening!!”
There has always been a general consensus that Ducati senior management are not interested in bring Marquez into the fold. After all, they’ve won titles without him, and they’ve got a long line of Italian talent to take them into the future. This view is somewhat highlighted in Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti’s answer when asked about the rumours by MotoGP.
“I think you should ask the question to Gresini and to Marquez,” he said. “As far as we know, Marquez has a contract with Honda for next year. And… you know, Ducati already explained what is our strategy for the riders. Obviously in this paddock, you can never say never, we learned this, but there is nothing more I can add.”
As the weekend progressed it started to look like the rumours were just that. Marc Marquez finished the race in 7thand it looked like there was a burst of hope down in the Repsol Honda garage.
However, the narrative had it’s full sense of reality on Monday after the Misano test. Marquez stepped off the 2024 Honda prototype and moments later was telling the media that he has two options to decide between for his future.
Image via @denkmit on Twitter
“I’ll decide, I have two plans, and now I need to choose a plan.” The Spaniard admitted. “Of course there is a deadline. Around India and Japan I will decide.”
When talking about the new RC213V, Marquez admitted that although it was different, it still retained a lot of the same issues that it carries currently. It was clear from his media debrief that he had lost confidence in the Japanese team that he knows so well.
It’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen with Marquez because of the contrasting rumours and opinions, but with the Indian Grand Prix this weekend and the Japanese Grand Prix the following weekend, it’s safe to say we’ll be finding out the World Champion’s plan for 2024 pretty soon.
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