Marc Marquez: ‘Fitness Is My Biggest Challenge in MotoGP’

Marc Marquez has increased the mental pressure on his MotoGP rivals by admitting that his toughest opponent is his own physical condition.

The factory Ducati rider has struggled with injuries for years and has yet to fully recover from the impact of his fall in Indonesia last season.

Despite his fitness concerns, he is positioned fifth in the world championship, 40 points behind the leader Jorge Martín, and has won nine races at the Sachsenring. This makes him the favourite heading into the German Grand Prix later this weekend.

On the eve of the season’s halfway point, which will soon be followed by the MotoGP summer break, Marquez was asked which rider he viewed as his main rival as several competitors seek a decisive move in the championship.

Rather than naming specific names, the experienced Marquez suggested that his opponents would be powerless to stop him once he regains full fitness in the second half of the season.

“My biggest rival – or rather what worries me most – is my physical condition,” said the Catalan. “The rest, I don’t care. They are all extremely fast, but this is my main challenge – to continue improving my performance in the coming races.”

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images

When asked about his strategic approach to a championship fight involving many riders, Marquez again emphasized that the fight is with himself rather than others.

“Of course, if a championship is open, no one has a clear advantage,” he said.

“For example, Marco Bezzecchi has been the fastest rider duringVERTISEMENT first part of the season. But that doesn’t make him the best, since Jorge Martín is leading the championship. So, in the end, you need a different approach when you’re fighting one rider versus when you’re fighting four riders.”

“Right now, my battle is different. After the summer break, I will see where必赢 can finish the season.”

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