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Marc Marquez

Pengawal FIM telah memutuskan bahawa pertembungan antara Marc Marquez dan Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia di MotoGP Portugal adalah insiden perlumbaan. Oleh itu, tiada penalti akan dijatuhkan.

Insiden itu menyaksikan Bagnaia terbabas dan kegelinciran tayar hadapan motosikalnya ketika memintas Marquez, sekaligus menyingkirkan kedua-dua pelumba, dengan tinggal hanya 3 lap lagi.

Walaupun dia menerima keputusan FIM Stewards, Marquez juga merasakan ia berada pada ‘had’ kerana baginya Pecco telah melakukan ‘kesilapan’ dalam percubaan memintas semula yang terlalu ‘optimistik’.

Insiden itu berlaku sejurus selepas Marquez mengatasi penunggang Ducati yang semakin perlahan untuk menduduki tempat kelima selekoh ke-5 di Litar Algarve di Portimao. Apabila pelumba Sepanyol itu kemudiannya tersasar sedikit dari garisan di puncak selekoh, Bagnaia bertindak balas dengan memasukki ruang yang terbuka sedikit itu, dan menyebabkan pasangan itu segera bertembung dan terjatuh.

Pendapat Marquez:

“Hanya impak pada bahu, tetapi tidak ada yang tercedera,” kata Marquez, yang bangkit untuk menamatkan saingan di tempat ke-16 dan tersingkir daripada pungutan mata.

“Tetapi ia adalah satu kesilapan kerana kami berjuang untuk kedudukan ke-5, ke-6. Hanya untuk perbezaan dua mata lagi, dua kurang. Dan dia (Pecco) sedang bergelut dengan tayar, terutamanya dengan tayar belakang. Jadi pada akhirnya, apabila 3 pusingan kekal, anda tahu bahawa anda akan kehilangan kedudukan, jadi tidak perlu untuk kembali dalam mod agresif itu. Tapi, dia buat keputusan macam ni. Akibat kepada Ducati ialah 0 mata.”

The FIM Stewards had decided that the clash between Marc Marquez and Franceso “Pecco” Bagnaia at the Portugese MotoGP was a racing incident. As such, no penalty will be handed out.

The incident saw Bagnaia losing the front of his bike underneath Marquez, thereby taking both of them out of the race, with just 3 laps to go.

While he accepted the FIM Stewards’ decision, Marquez also felt it was at the ‘very limit’ of such a description, on the grounds that Pecco had made a ‘mistake’ in launching the ‘optimistic’ re-pass attempt.

The incident occurred moments after Marquez had outbraked the fading factory Ducati rider for fifth place into the Turn 5 hairpin at the Algarve Circuit in Portimao. As the Spaniard then drifted slightly off line at the apex, Bagnaia retaliated by diving for the gap but the pair promptly collided and crashed.

What Marquez said:

“Just an impact on the shoulder, but nothing important,” said Marquez, who remounted to finish in 16th and out of the points.

“But it was a mistake because we were fighting for 5th, 6th position. Two more points, two less. And he was suffering a lot with the tyres, especially with the rear tyre.  So in the end, when 3 laps remain, you know that you will lose the position, so it’s not necessary to come back in that aggressive mode. But, he decided like this. The consequence to Ducati is 0 points.”

Pasukan Gresini Racing meluahkan rasa yakin bahawa lapan kali juara dunia, Marc Marquez mampu mencabar kejuaraan dunia MotoGP musim depan. 

Pasukan satelit Ducati itu memuat kejutan apabila mengumumkan Marquez selaku pelumba utama bagi musim 2024 menggantikan Fabio Di Giannantonio dan akan beraksi di samping adiknya, Alex (Marquez). 

Pengarah Pemasaran dan Komersil Gresini, Carlo Merlini menyifatkan senario itu sebagai impian jadi kenyataan.

“Kami berterima kasih kepada Marc (Marquez) atas kepercayaan diberikan. Kami percaya kami mampu berikan apa yang dia perlukan iaitu  pakej teknikal selain persekitaran yang dia boleh biasakan,” jelas Merlini. 

Dalam pada itu, Merlini mendedahkan objektif utama ditetapkan untuk Marquez adalah mudah iaitu mencabar kejuaraan dunia musim 2024. 

“Kami rasa kami mampu menduduki ranking tinggi dan mencabar kejuaraan. Marc mampu menang setiap perlumbaan dan akhirnya mencabar kejuaraan MotoGP,” tambah Merlini.

Meskipun menandatangani khidmat Marquez selama setahun bagi musim 2024 namun Merlini akui pasukan itu berharap pelumba itu akan terus kekal semusim lagi sehingga 2025. 

Terdahulu, Marquez telah pun mengesahkan dia akan beraksi pada musim 2024 menggunakan jentera Desmosedici GP berusia setahun yang sedang digunakan pasukan factory Ducati musim ini.

Speculation about the future of MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez continues to swirl, with rumors of retirement and a potential team switch causing a stir among fans.

  • KTM is likely to be the relevant destination for the 8-time World Champion. 
  • The Spaniard is rumoured to be unhappy at Honda. 

While details remain scarce, a recent social media post from tennis legend Rafael Nadal has added fuel to the fire and hinted at Marquez’s possible departure from Honda.

Nadal, a close friend of Marquez and a beloved personality in Spain, posted a photo of the two icons together, accompanied by a caption that raised eyebrows. He wrote, “Visits [views] that make you very excited. Thanks @marcmarquez93 for coming to meet the Rafa Nadal Academy By Movistar. We see each other soon and good luck on your new challenges.”

The phrase “new challenges” has sparked speculation about Marquez’s next move within MotoGP or potentially outside the premier class. While Marquez is currently contracted with the Repsol Honda MotoGP team for another year, his future beyond 2023 remains uncertain.

Alberto Puig, Honda’s team boss, has expressed a willingness to respect Marquez’s wishes, stating that he wouldn’t want to keep the rider against his will. Puig understands that an unhappy rider rarely performs at their best, as demonstrated by previous cases like Lorenzo and Rossi at Ducati, and Maverick Vinales at the end of his Yamaha contract. However, Honda is unlikely to release Marquez without significant compensation.

Should Marquez and Honda part ways before his contract expires, KTM emerges as a potential destination. KTM has been performing exceptionally well in MotoGP and is the only team capable of challenging the dominant Ducatis. Nevertheless, KTM would have to pay a hefty sum to secure Marquez’s services, considering the existing contracts of their current riders, Brad Binder and Jack Miller, which extend until the end of 2024.

Marc Marquez menegaskan sasaran utamanya adalah untuk kekal bersama Honda namun tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk berhijrah ke pasukan lain seperti Ducati. 

Marquez telah bersama Honda sepanjang kariernya dan walaupun Ducati sendiri telah menafikan khabar angin yang kaitkan pasukan Itali itu dengan Marquez, desas-desas tersebut masih lagi bertebaran. 

Antara yang buka mulut mengenai khabar angin itu adalah lima kali juara dunia, Jorge Lorenzo yang menjangkakan Marquez akan ke Ducati sama ada sertai pasukan ‘factory’ ataupun satelit. 

Bagaimanapun, Marquez tekad mahu kekal bersama Honda meskipun kontraknya tamat pada 2024. 

“Jorge (Lorenzo) seorang pelumba yang hebat tetapi kita lihiat jika dia juga hebat dalam membuat tekaan.

“Apa pun, saya masih mempunyai baki kontrak bersama Honda dan saya kekal komited kepada mereka.

“Mereka (Honda) akan tetap menjadi pelan A saya tetapi pada masa sama saya akan terus mencari projek yang boleh menyumbang kejuaraan. Saya tak kisah tetang warna, nama atau pasukan nama,” jelas enam kali juara dunia MotoGP itu. 

Walaupun beberapa tahun ini kurang memberangsangkan bagi Marquez namun mengambil kira kejayaan beberapa tahun sebelum ini Honda tetap keutamaan.

“Saya masih percaya pada Honda. Memang benar keadaan semasa agak sukar tetapi kami masih lagi mampu bersaing ketika di Le Mans. Saya tak tengok pada Honda sebaliknya pada diri sendiri,” tambahnya. 

Saingan MotoGP kembali bersambung hujung minggu ini di Mugello. 

Marc Marquez, a six-time MotoGP champion, has earned the title of “King of COTA” due to his unbeatable form on U.S. soil.

  • Marc Marquez wins six time in a row at the Circuit of the Americas between 2013 and 2018 earning him the “King of COTA” status. 
  • The limited-edition helmet is to honour Marquez’s amazing feat at COTA. 

Despite suffering a broken humerus and undergoing several surgeries in 2020, Marquez won at the Circuit of the Americas again in 2021. 

In honor of his winning record, Shoei has created a limited-edition Z8 helmet with an American Spirit graphic.

The special livery, worn by Marquez during the 2022 Grand Prix of the Americas, features a red, white, and blue color combination, stars and stripes integrated into the design, and Marquez’s signature number 93 emblazoned on both sides of the helmet. 

The helmet is made with Shoei’s eminent all-arounder, the Z-8 (RF-1400), which boasts extra comfort and an affordable mid-range price tag, making it a great option for road riding.

The Z-8 was updated recently with a newly improved ventilation system, a new visor-locking mechanism, and noise-diffusing, aerodynamics-enhancing Vortex Generators, making it the perfect all-rounder helmet. That said, the GP-accurate American Spirit graphic lends itself perfectly to the Z-8 model.

Shoei will release the limited-edition helmet in July 2023 with limited orders open through August 2023. The race replica will be available in sizes S (55cm), M (57cm), L (59cm), XL (61cm), and XXL (63cm) at a price of JPY71,500 (RM2.3k).

Juara dunia enam kali MotoGP, Marc Marquez menafikan dakwaan bahawa dia akan meninggalkan Honda dan menegaskan dia kekal komited dengan pasukan itu. 

Marquez menandatangi kontrak empat tahun sehingga 2024, beberapa bulan sebelum mengalami kecederaan serius di bahagian tangan kanan. 

Meskipun Marquez kembali pulih selepas menjalani pembedahan keempat pada Jun tahun lalu, pasukan Repsol Honda gagal memberi saingan terhadap perebutan kejuaraan dunia. 

Oleh sebab itu, timbul khabar angin bahawa Marquez akan meninggalkan Honda dengan mengaktifkan klausa dalam kontraknya pada 2024.

Bagaimanapun, Marquez menepis dakwaan tersebut dalam satu temu bual bersama MotoGP.com

“Saya ada baki dua tahun lagi dengan Honda dan impian saya adalah untuk kembali ke puncak bersama Honda. 

“Saya mempercayai mereka sepenuhnya, dan kami menghormati antara satu sama lain. Saya percaya kami akan keluar daripada situasi ini,” jelasnya. 

Dalam perkembangan sama, Repsol Honda turut mempersembahkan jentera dan warna yang akan diguna pakai pada musim 2023. Seperti dijangka, warna ikonik Honda dan Repsol dikekalkan pada jentera RC213V itu. 

Bagi musim 2023, Marquez akan beraksi dengan rakan sepasukan baharu, Joan Mir yang berhijrah dari Suzuki.

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez secured his first MotoGP pole since 2019 after clocking the fastest time in Q2 at The Japanese Grand Prix.

  • Marquez returns to pole position after three years at Motegi ahead of Johann Zarco and Brad Binder.
  • Quartararo will start at the third row of the grid in ninth place.

Marquez showcased spectacular form on Saturday despite a disastrous comeback last week at Aragon after he collided with Fabio Quartararo and Takaaki Nakagami.

The Repsol Honda rider managed to hold off late charges from Johann Zarco and Brad Binder to claim his first pole position this season. 

Marquez set impressive opening laps in tricky conditions before Fabio Quartararo, and Johann Zarco bettered his time. 

However, the Spaniard regained the top spot with another flying lap to get clear of Zarco and Brad Binder. 

Both Zarco and Binder tried to respond in the final minute but lost time compared to Marquez. 

Meanwhile, current title contender Aleix Espargaro finished sixth, while the current championship leader, Quartararo, could only secure the ninth spot. 

Nonetheless, it was a shocking Q2 for the on-form rider, Francesco Bagnaia, as he will start at P12.

 

Selepas menjalani Misano Test dengan cemerlang, lapan kali juara dunia, Marc Marquez akan kembali ke litar lumba MotoGP pada hujung minggu ini di GP Aragon.

Pelumba Repsol Honda itu berjaya melengkapkan Misano Test yang berlangsung selama dua hari sebelum menyambung latihan intensif di rumah.

Berdasarkan keputusan ujian, Marc Marquez dan Honda telah menetapkan pusingan seterusnya di GP Aragon sebagai medan untuk dia kembali berlumba.

Kali terakhir Marquez beraksi adalah 110 hari lalu (29 Mei) di GP Itali. 

Sejak menjalani pembedahan tangan kanan kali keempat, Marquez telah mengikut panduan ketat yang ditetapkan pasukan perubatannya dalam usaha untuk kembali dalam keadaan 100 peratus cergas.

Selepas pelbagai pemeriksaan dan ujian, semua pihak berpuas hati dengan proses pemulihan yang dijalani Marquez.

Difahamkan, objektif utama penyertaan perlumbaan di Aragon adalah usaha untuk mencapai kecergasaan perlumbaan. 

Sewaktu ujian di Misano, Marquez turut menguji jentera RC213V yang dipasang dengan ‘swingarm’ Kalex. Ini merupakan kali pertama Honda mengguna pakai komponen dari pengeluar lain. 

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced the signing of 24-year-old Joan Mir ahead of the Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Rivieria di Rimini. 

  • Joan Mir agreed a two-year contract to joined HRC.
  • The Spanish rider will team up with Marc Marquez.

The 2020 MotoGP World Champion will ride alongside six-time MotoGP champion, Marc Marquez on board the Honda RC213V machinery, next year.

According to HRC, the Spaniard has signed a two-year contract thus ending ongoing speculation regarding his future in the premier class.

“Honda Racing Corporation are proud to announce the signing of Joan Mir. 

“The 2020 MotoGP World Champion established himself as a World Champion-level talent from his first full season in Moto3 in 2016. 

“In 2017 the #36 lifted the lightweight class crown aboard a Honda before moving to the intermediate class the following year. 

“Alongside two World Championships, the Spanish rider has claimed 12 Grand Prix wins and 33 podiums,” said HRC in a statement. 

Mir will  joins current teammate, Alex Rins in moving across from Suzuki to Honda at the end of 2022 campaign. 

Marc Marquez hoped that he could return to racing this year after having surgery on his right arm in June.

  • Marc Marquez could make a surprise appearance on the grid this season.
  • The Repsol Honda rider is still the highest-placed Honda rider on the grid.

The six-time MotoGP world champion returns to the paddock for the first time since May and told reporters at the Austrian GP that he is optimistic despite yet to returned to full fitness.

The Spaniard is currently en route to recovery and is increasing his workload. 

“My intention is to make some races this year.

“Next week I will have the answer if it will be possible or not.

“When I feel ready I will come back because it will be important to prepare for 2023,” he said.

Honda surely wants their star rider back on the grid as Marquez remains the highest-placed Honda rider in the championship – at 14th – despite missing six races so far. 

“Then the next two weeks I started to move my arm, with the physio. The last four weeks I started to work a little bit with elastics. Now I start to increase a little bit the weight.

“If I need to wait one more week, I will wait. When I will feel 70 or 80%, when I feel I can ride a MotoGP bike in a more or less good way, I will come back.

“The last part of the rehabilitation, the best way, is to be on the bike. You cannot wait to be 100% before riding the bike,” he added. 

MotoGP returns to action this weekend at the Red Bull Ring. 

 

SHOEI has unveiled an all-new track helmet, the X-SPR PRO replacing the outgoing X-Spirit III.

  • the new SHOEI X-SPR PRO will go on sale soon.
  • Alex and Marc Marquez are among the riders currently wearing the new helmet at the 2022 MotoGP.

The SHOEI X-SPR Pro will be available at worldwide retailers from September 2022 and will replace the old X-Spirit III as the company’s flagship full-face track-focused helmet.

One primary focus of the X-SPR Pro is the development of the airflow and the helmet’s shape.

According to SHOEI, the X-SPR Pro is designed to maximize aerodynamic stability and speed in the straights, achieved by enlarging the shroud at the back compared to the X-Spirit III.

The X-SPR Pro also gets a rear stabilizer and stabilizing flaps.

Meanwhile, seven ventilation inlets around the helmet can be opened and closed accordingly to ensure riders get proper airflow.

Most importantly, the new X-SPR PRO also meets the new ECM 22.06 FIM homologation along with other safety features:

  • AIM+ protective shell
  • modular EPS liner system with multiple densities
  • anti-mist CWR-F2R Pinlock visor
  • Double D-Ring fasteners
  • Emergency Quick Release System (EQRS)

According to SHOEI, the new helmet is available in four different sizes; XS-S, M, L, XL-XXL and will be on sale in September for GBP699.99 (RM3.8k)

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