Marc Marquez Breaks Victory Drought with ‘Perfect’ Aragon MotoGP Weekend: Emotional Triumph After Three Years

Marc Marquez admitted he “put pressure on myself” to achieve a “perfect” weekend at the Aragon MotoGP.

“In the Sprint race, I wasn't having fun because I knew how crucial today was.”

Marc Marquez broke a nearly three-year stretch without a win by claiming victory at the Aragon MotoGP last weekend, a success he called "perfect."

Marquez led all three practice sessions, secured pole position with a 0.8-second advantage, triumphed in the Sprint race decisively, and finished five seconds ahead of Jorge Martin in Sunday's Grand Prix.

The Warm Up session was the only one Marquez did not lead, as it was wet due to rain from Saturday night into Sunday morning, and he did not record a lap time.

"It was an ideal weekend," Marquez mentioned during the press conference after the race. "We dominated every session, except for the Warm Up, where I chose to remain in the garage with the team."

Marquez discussed the emotional journey of nearly three years without a win and the sense of relief he experienced as he crossed the finish line to secure his 60th top-class victory.

“In the race, we felt incredible right from the start,” he mentioned. “It was an extremely long race, and managing our emotions during the final laps was challenging. However, crossing the finish line felt like shedding 3–4kg.”

"Due to my back feeling increasingly heavier with each step, winning this was unbelievable. Right away, I began reflecting on the entire journey, the people who supported me, my family, my girlfriend, and my brother, Alex Márquez."

"They provided me with tremendous assistance, and the Gresini team, in particular, offered me a significant chance. As a newcomer, I aimed to put forth my best effort, and we succeeded. We have set a new goal and will continue to push forward."

Marquez established a significant lead during the race, allowing him to contemplate various thoughts in the closing laps.

"In the final three laps, I was already thinking about being on the podium," he remarked. "But more than the podium, it's the Gresini garage that's really something—it's always buzzing with fun and happiness, like a constant party."

One of the most crucial elements was the support from those around me. In extremely challenging and tough situations, having a compassionate and kind-hearted team, who were even more affected by my circumstances than I was, truly made a significant impact.

"The celebration felt unusual since the excitement was greater in some previous races — when we celebrated second and third places — than it was today. Today was more about emotion than adrenaline."

After leading every session except for the wet Warm Up on Sunday morning, Marquez conceded that he was under some pressure to finish his weekend with a win in the Grand Prix.

"I felt the weight of expectations today," he commented. "During the Sprint yesterday, I wasn't having fun because I was aware that today was crucial and that I had a significant chance ahead of me."

"Because of that, I made an effort to stay focused. When you're fast, it seems like you can handle the situation well, stay consistent, and make smart decisions. However, if you're not fast, managing the situation becomes extremely challenging."

"Let's aim to improve our speed in the upcoming races and try to stay competitive with the leading racers."

Having secured the win, Marquez ranks it alongside his 2021 German Grand Prix victory, which was his first since he broke his arm at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix.

Marquez compared it to his experience in Germany in 2021, stating that he viewed it as equally significant.

“When you’re dealing with numerous injuries and facing a tough situation, the significance of your wins changes.”

"While I have secured 60 wins, those two triumphs, along with my initial victory in MotoGP, hold the greatest significance. They boost your confidence in a unique manner and provide an additional sense of assurance."

"I hadn't been feeling well for a while, and the laps this weekend were brief. I was just riding along effortlessly, staying in the zone, but I paid extra attention to avoid any errors."

Despite this being Marquez's 12th race weekend with the Gresini Ducati squad, he mentioned that he had been confident about winning ever since he initially rode the Desmosedici during the Valencia test at the conclusion of 2023.

During the Valencia test, Marquez acknowledged that a race victory was imminent. He recognized that they would have their chances to succeed. However, he also noted that competing for the championship is a different challenge, requiring continuous effort and dedication.

"But in Valencia, I began to realize that it would come eventually."

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