Marc Marquez’s Unforgettable Podium at German GP: Triumph Amidst Pain and Brotherly Milestone

Marc Marquez: Says it's as if he's won, unforgettable day, 'unrepeatable' experience

Marc Marquez: "Prior to the race, I consumed a mix [of painkillers] – this evening, I'll be having a different kind of mix!"

In a written summary, it was Marc Marquez's first defeat at the Sachsenring in the German Grand Prix since 2009 in the 125cc category, occurring on Sunday.

Despite being an eight-time world champion, he was beaming with joy following the race.

"Marquez expressed his elation to MotoGP.com, saying, "It truly feels like a victory to me. That's the genuine sensation."

This is due to Marquez not only overcoming a challenging weekend filled with injuries, technical problems, and disappointing qualifying results to secure an unexpected second-place finish but also achieving a remarkable podium finish alongside his younger brother, Alex.

For the first time in the 'MotoGP' era, two siblings have stood together on the podium, marking the first occasion in the top tier since Nobuatsu and Takuma Aoki achieved the feat at Imola in 1997.

Based on statement #93, it appears to be both the first and final instance of him sharing a MotoGP podium with Alex as a teammate.

"I'm thrilled to be on the podium alongside my brother. It's a memorable day for me, one that might be hard to replicate going forward," Marc stated.

Frankly, I believe replicating that success this season simply can't be done.

"The reason is, standing on the podium is a challenge for me, and it's just as tough for him. So, having both of us there on the same Sunday felt somewhat surreal. Moreover, it was a dry and speedy race. He's an exceptionally skilled rider, and today, he really proved it."

"I wish my father and mother had a good time since it might be our final moment together on the podium. We'll cherish it as though it's our last opportunity!"

The ambiance following the race could have turned more uncomfortable had Jorge Martin not fallen from the top position during the second-to-last lap, which would have led to a sibling rivalry for third place as Marc caught up with his brother.

"Marc confessed, "As I was closing in on my brother, I was filled with doubts. I kept wondering, 'Should I go on the offensive? Should I gamble? And if things go south, then what? Honestly, securing a podium spot for him was also a pretty good outcome."

"Regrettably for Martin, yet fortunately for us, this situation unfolded within the racing context, leading us both to the podium. This made the final two laps somewhat less challenging."

Considering the challenges Marquez faced throughout the weekend leading up to Sunday, it's understandable that some good fortune would be welcomed on his behalf.

"The weekend was disappointing. We encountered numerous technical problems, and my significant error at Turn 11 compounded the issues," Marquez explained, alluding to the severe highside on Friday which resulted in a fractured left index finger and considerable bruising to his ribs.

However, following a recovery to sixth place, assisted by the most potent painkillers on offer during the Sprint race, the Spanish rider experienced significant improvement by Sunday morning, returning to his typical 'Marquez-mode'.

"I was surprised to end up in the top three, but what mattered most was waking up feeling improved," he shared. "I told my team, 'Today, I'm capable of being assertive. I can take on the Marquez style.' Just the day before, I had opted for a much gentler approach."

"The rib condition improved significantly, allowing for easier breathing and greater mobility while cycling. The finger, however, is fractured and slightly dislocated, but we plan to address and repair it soon, and it wasn't a major issue."

However, climbing up from 13th place was anything but smooth for Marquez, who shattered his screen during a collision with Franco Morbidelli, an incident intense enough to trigger his airbag deployment.

Falling behind to the sixth position, trailing Enea Bastianini, Marquez responded to the challenge by giving it his all.

I aimed to not push the tyres too hard and gradually work my way back up, given the challenge of overtaking at this track. However, the unexpected collision with Morbidelli threw me off, causing a significant delay.

"A couple of laps earlier, he attempted the same maneuver, and I simply eased off the throttle. However, when he veered off course once more, we unexpectedly collided. Luckily, neither of us was hurt in the incident."

"That was the moment that sparked my realization: 'It's time to go all-in!'"

"I engaged in a competitive duel with Bastianini, exchanging positions twice. Following that, I managed to catch up to Morbidelli within two laps and executed an aggressive maneuver to pass him, as it was the only option available for overtaking."

Marc started to close the gap on Alex, setting the stage for a potential Marquez vs. Marquez battle for the podium, just before Martin's departure.

"If someone told me on Thursday, 'You're not going to win, but you'll be on the podium alongside your brother,' I would respond, 'Alright!'"

"Subsequently, the weekend turned extremely challenging, yet this runner-up spot compensates for it all.

"Prior to the competition, I consumed a mix [of analgesics], but this evening, I plan on indulging in a different kind of mix!" he quipped.

Marquez holds the third position in the global championship, trailing the newly crowned title frontrunner and his soon-to-be teammate at Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia, by 56 points.

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