says he’s unable to carry his A-game to Assen, saying sixth place is the very best he can hope for within the Dutch Grand Prix after a lacklustre exhibiting within the dash.
The manufacturing facility Ducati rider completed Saturday’s half-distance race seventh on the street, dropping out not solely to the 4 Aprilias but additionally to different GP26 bikes of and .
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He was elevated to sixth within the closing reckoning after Bagnaia was docked a spot for going off monitor on the ultimate lap, however Marquez had clearly gave the impression to be slower of the 2 of their mid-race battle.
The nine-time world champion had already downplayed his prospects of repeating his victories from Balaton Park and Brno, admitting on Friday that Assen can be a race of “survival” for him.
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Talking after the dash, the 33-year-old mentioned he’s using in protected mode this weekend, as he defined why he’s struggling at Assen.
“Yesterday, I used to be there and right this moment within the morning, we tried to do a step however we had been once more round seventh/eighth positions along with some KTMs, and I completed seventh [before Bagnaia’s penalty],” he mentioned.
Marc Marquez, Ducati Workforce
Marc Marquez, Ducati Workforce
“I am in protected mode. At this circuit, it’s essential really feel and I do not really feel that I can push far more. I am using not unhealthy however at some factors I am dropping an excessive amount of and I really feel particularly uncomfortable and inconsistent.
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“It’s a circuit the place the utmost pressure is used, particularly within the path modifications. I really feel good within the straight braking, however there are various path modifications with out fuel.
“With fuel, you’ll be able to accompany your self with the engine. By inertia, by skidding with the rear and this, you may make your life simpler. However when they’re path modifications with out fuel, and above all from left to proper curve, I undergo loads. In the meanwhile, I’m not in a position to do it.
“Particularly as a result of I come from the left, I bounce to the appropriate to brake, and the physique goes ahead. And after I went instinctively on Friday morning, I fell. As a result of I got here from a left, I jumped in the appropriate braking, I went ahead and I fell.
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“I already checked final yr and I noticed some crashes this yr. Right here, the gravel is painful so it’s essential take care.”
Marquez mentioned he was not sad together with his efficiency on Saturday, having already anticipated to battle through the weekend.
Marc Marquez, Ducati Workforce
Marc Marquez, Ducati Workforce
The Spaniard mentioned he expects there can be troublesome races through the 2026 season and is ready to just accept lower-scoring outcomes at sure tracks.
“I am doing my 100% however I can not do extra now. On this circuit, we have to perceive that and there’s no frustration as a result of it is what I anticipated,” he defined.
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“There can be some circuits that I can handle nicely. There can be some circuits that previously or final yr, I used to be in a position to survive nicely. This yr, survive actually means survive. End eighth, tenth or much more.”
Requested about Ducati’s rival Aprilia locking out the highest 4 spots on the grid and ending first and second within the dash, Marquez added: “We already know the robust factors of Aprilia.
“We all know {that a} circuit like Holland can be one other circuit with quick corners the place they’re stronger than us. We have to consider 22 races however right here Aprilia is stronger than us.However Diggia [Fabio di Giannantonio] and Pecco did an unimaginable job as a result of they’re using in an excellent method.”
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