BarcelonaRenew or die, that’s what Àlex Márquez (Cervera, 1996) felt when he saw for the second consecutive year that Honda was not his place. Although he shared a factory with his brother Marc, he didn’t feel valued or listened to and when Ducati knocked on his door he decided to take the plunge. Now, when the physical preparation for the next season has just begun, the Catalan pilot attends to the ARA.
How are you spending the holidays? Were you able to clean and rest?
— I haven’t rested completely because I don’t like to rest and stop. Then it costs a little to reattach, so it’s better to take an active break, I say [riu]. I do sports all year round and stopping suddenly is strange for the body. I’ve enjoyed and done different things, but I’ve also stayed active. I am ready to start physical training from January, as this is where we build the base for the whole year.
New year, new challenges?
— I am very excited. It was a more than necessary change. It was either change or die. There was no other choice. When you lose enthusiasm in a project it makes no sense to continue and you have to find motivation elsewhere. It wasn’t easy, I have to admit, because I was in a complicated situation. Now I feel loved, not only by Gressini, but also by the factory.
How did the Italian brand convince you?
— I know which bike I will have on January 1st and which one I will end up with on December 31st. Rather than promising anything, you see the results. You don’t need to look at anything else. I wanted a competitive bike and you look at the results and the ranking and that doesn’t deceive. Many riders with different styles go fast on that bike. I will have no excuses, now. I put pressure on myself, but I know that I have a competitive bike and I have to give one hundred percent whether or not.
Have you felt a little forgotten at Honda in this stage that you are now closing?
— In many moments yes. Especially when I went to LCR [equip satèl·lit d’Honda]. There was a change that was difficult for me at first. I understood it, but after the season I had done at Respol Honda… I felt bad, but it couldn’t be changed. I felt forgotten, left out of Honda’s hands. He had a very good team, but from Honda there was not the same support.
It has been a very complicated year for you.
— It was hard, I won’t deceive you. When we could get our head out we got it out and whether you like it or not, have the peace of mind that when things have more or less worked out and the stars have somehow aligned we’ve been there. I always say that in moments of difficulty is when you learn the most and these years it has been like that. These two years have been hard, but they make you strong.
How did you cope mentally?
— It’s knowing how to surround yourself with the right people and to help you in difficult times. They ask me if I go to the psychologist, so no. I have the right people around me so that in times of difficulty they help me and keep me grounded. I never felt alone.
What has been the most difficult?
— The frustration of starting the year with a non-competitive bike and ending it with this one. As a pilot, you see that the problems are localized but no solutions arrive. It makes you powerless.
And Ducati has assured you that this will not happen.
— The comments of each pilot are very important to them. You go first or fifteenth. They always stop by to ask, and this gives the pilot peace of mind. It is a different concept of racing that is now giving more results.
What is your goal?
— The results are relevant, but it is very important for me to recover the illusion. I want to feel like getting on the bike again, to go to a Grand Prix and know that you have the weapons to do it well. That’s what I’m most looking forward to.
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