The leader weighs the risk
Marco Bezzecchi won the November 8 Qatar Grand Prix, with the championship still undecided. Marc Marquez heads towards the penultimate round in Portugal 60 points ahead of Jorge Martin, who is 14 ahead of Bezzecchi. During the break, the leader aims to finish safely while Martin first needs to recover physically.
In Motorsport.com’s account of the post-race press conference, Marquez acknowledged Marco Bezzecchi’s superior Qatar race pace. He felt he could follow for two laps rather than the whole 22. Having taken risks in previous events and Saturday’s Sprint, he did not consider the same gamble necessary on Sunday.
He collected 32 points through the Sprint victory and second place in the Grand Prix. With potentially cold conditions and Portimao’s elevation changes ahead, Marquez stressed assessing the conditions and finishing races. His plan at home was to concentrate on training, eating and sleeping until Portugal.
Martin finishes through wrist pain
Martin’s interview with the same publication described a different challenge. Pain from his right-wrist injury had made him consider staying away on Monday and Tuesday, yet he completed the weekend with third in the Sprint and seventh in the Grand Prix.
Aprilia’s post-race release confirmed that Martin started from the fourth row. Martin felt starting so far back required more risk in the opening corners. Over the longer race, the injury restricted braking and changes of direction; in the final three laps he simply wanted to reach the finish.
Motorsport.com also identified a difference in tyre choice between the races. Martin’s late switch to a soft rear for the Sprint helped him gain positions through the opening corners. Every rider used the same tyre specification in the Grand Prix. In Aprilia’s release, Martin said he still lacked the physical strength to brake as required and therefore could not exploit the bike’s full potential.
His hand was still swollen after the race, but Martin expected to be almost fully fit in Portugal and was proud to have completed both races.
