Marc Marquez Credits Former Honda Team for Aragon Triumph: A Symbol of Unity and Gratitude in MotoGP

Marc Marquez brought together Santi Hernandez and Honda to share in the joy of the Aragon win.

"They endured the struggle alongside me. Their support was significant."

Marc Marquez convened his previous factory Honda MotoGP team before the San Marino Grand Prix to share with them that they should consider themselves contributors to his victory in Aragon.

The eight-time world champion concluded a 1043-day hiatus from the winner's circle with a commanding victory at Aragon, marking his first triumph aboard the Gresini Ducati in a MotoGP grand prix.

After a challenging period spanning several seasons on the RC213V, Marquez made the decision to leave Honda at the close of 2023, ending an 11-year partnership. He will be moving to the Gresini team to compete on a GP23, aiming to regain his competitive edge.

He couldn't bring along any of his former team members from Honda, except for tire specialist Javi Ortiz, to Gresini, but he still regards them as family.

Inquired on Thursday about whether he had communicated with his ex-crew chief Santi Hernandez, Marquez revealed: "Yesterday, I visited the Repsol Honda team's area and I assembled everyone, telling them ‘consider yourself a contributor to this triumph’.

"It wasn't just Santi who endured alongside me; they too shared in my struggles. They provided significant support during my toughest times."

"I'd like to note, concerning that section of the garage, it holds a personal significance for me as they seem to be involved in my journey as well."

Following his last competition with Honda in Valencia the previous year, Marquez noted during his press briefing that this group would always hold a special place in his heart as "the team of my life".

Hernandez was also barred from joining Gresini as Marquez's crew chief because, at that moment, Marquez refused to commit to a contract longer than a year.

Before the Aragon Grand Prix last weekend, Marquez had last triumphed at the Misano circuit in 2021. Additionally, the Spanish rider has secured victory at this Italian track four times altogether in the top category.

As the San Marino Grand Prix approaches, Marquez feels he has achieved his goals for 2024 following the Aragon race and aims to begin Friday with the same sensation on the motorcycle that he experienced in Austria.

"Obviously, achieving my goal for this season has been accomplished in Aragon," he stated.

"Thus, the focus now shifts to continuing our efforts. Indeed, following the weekend, there's an opportunity for a slight pause, yet it's crucial to leverage that renewed vigor and confidence to persist in our endeavors."

"Every race teaches us something new about the team and the bike."

"Every competition brings new discoveries that improve our morale. Indeed, my hope is to commence here with a sentiment akin to what we experienced at Red Bull Ring – that alone would satisfy me, as the vibes were positive there, and I acknowledge that the circumstances at Aragon were quite unique."

"I wouldn't attribute it to the track conditions, but rather to the nighttime tempests. However, these three competitors [Martin, Bagnaia, Bastianini] are expected to be incredibly quick, and our goal is to keep pace with them."

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