Saturday in Sepang surprised even Marc Marquez. He did so right from qualifying, in which the Spaniard who was struggling throughout the weekend managed to set 5th quickest time taking the second row.
In the sprint, with a phenomenal start, the multiple champion then immediately got in the wake of the pair of title contenders Bagnaia and Martin, watching them closely. Bagnaia's crash at turn 9 and an always competitive pace thus ended up by handing him a runner-ups slot ahead of Bastianini in 3rd, a result that on Friday did not seem at all obvious on a circuit historically difficult for the Spaniard.
This result, the outcome of a year-long path on the GP23 of the Gresini team, allowed Marc to get to know the full potential of his Ducati in view of his arrival in the official team next year. The premises are therefore also excellent in view of the long race, and third place in the standings at the end of the season is now within reach given the 13-point lead over Bastianini.
"The start was incredible, I want to see the times again," Marc began, "this helped my race a lot. Also the speed surprised me, because in free practice the GP24s and especially Pecco and Martin were far away, or I was far away from them.
When I saw the pace was there I did my race, I didn't expect to finish on the podium, especially at a circuit where I've always had difficulties.We struggled this weekend but the word "give up" does not exist in the dictionary, and if things get difficult you have to work twice as hard which is what we did.
When I saw that Pecco crashed I pushed for a lap, took some risks but without gaining much so I thought second place was still a good result. I take this opportunity to dedicate this podium to Valencia, I know it may not be of much use to them right now, but it's my way of showing them my support."
What made you take a step forward today?
"I did a very fast lap in qualifying, we had the same tires here and I did the same times as last year's GP23s. The reference today was my brother Alex, who finished the Sprint on the podium. I was close to him but irrespective of that the team also did a great job, we made some changes to the setup of the bike.
It's a good thing because at the beginning of the season we were not able to do that because now we have a year of experience working together, now I know what I need on the bike and my technicians know my riding style."
You said that in the box now you work better together, is it a pity that Carchedi will not follow you next year?
"Obviously in my career I've always tried to hold on to my technicians. In the box you can have a very good rider or a very good crew chief, but without the connection between people it is impossible to work well. It is clear that this year's experience will help, the box in the factory team will have all the data from this year and I know they will be able to do a great job."
You saw Pecco's crash, did it look like he was on the limit?
"That Turn 9 is critical, he was pushing trying to do his own race. Tomorrow he will have to do it again and take risks to win the race, it's his only chance to make up points. I couldn't see much more, when you face that corner at the braking point I had my eyes out of my helmet - he jokes - I have enough to think about with my bike. When you are ahead in the standings everything is easier to manage, but Martin is doing a great job."
At times it seemed that with the new tires the GP24s had something extra, what is the real difference with the GP23s in the race?
"With the new tires the difference is not only the bike but also the rider. Especially if you see the other GP23s on the pace they are faster, but in qualifying my brother and Bezzecchi were closer. It means it's something I have to work on. As for the difference with the new bike, in a few weeks I will be able to tell you."
What do you expect for tomorrow's race?
"Hopefully there will be a bit of a mess, if there is we will be closer, I would like to be in the top four. As for Pecco I think he will do what he did today. He will take risks, that's the only thing he has left. If Martin scores more points tomorrow it will be "game over."
