Gus Rodio earned provisional pole during MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Qualifying One (Q1) Thursday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660, Rodio covered the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:56.257 to top the field of 27 entries.
Dominic Doyle was second-fastest on his Giaccmoto Yamaha YZF-R7 with a time of 1:56.599.
Avery Dreher, the reigning MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, turned the third-fastest lap, a 1:56.755, on his TopPro Racing Aprilia RS 660.
Rocco Landers finished the session fourth with a time of 1:57.191 on his new RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R.
Ed Sullivan, the former crew chief of MotoAmerica Superbike racer Mathew Scholtz, did a fifth-best 1:57.643 on his SE Composites Racing Yamaha.
Defending Champion Tyler O’Hara topped MotoAmerica Roland Sands Design (RSD) Super Hooligan Free Practice One (FP1) Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his S&S Indian FTR, O’Hara lapped the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:54.328 to top the field of 36 riders.
Cory West was a close second in the session with a 1:54.502 on his Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Pan America.
O’Hara’s teammate Troy Herfoss was third-quickest at 1:54.927 on his Indian.
West’s teammate Travis Wyman finished the session fourth with a 1:56.098 on his Pan America.
Nate Kern rounded out the top five with a 1:56.276 on his Kern Racing BMW Rnine T.
Richie Escalante was quickest during MotoAmerica Daytona 200 free practice Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, the Mexican rider lapped the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:48.968 to lead the field of 68 riders.
Josh Herrin, the winner of the 2023 Daytona 200, was second-best with a 1:49.421 on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Escalante’s teammate and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch was third with a 1:49.575.
Tyler Scott, the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up and another Escalante teammate, was fourth at 1:49.697.
Bobby Fong rounded out the top five with a 1:49.833 on his Wrench Motorcycles Suzuki GSX-R750.
PJ Jacobsen crashed his new Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 during the session but escaped injury.
The 68-rider Daytona 200 field was split into two separate practice groups, A and B, based on “demonstrated experience,” according to MotoAmerica Operations Director Niccole Cox.
Kyle Wyman was quickest in Mission King Of The Baggers Free Practice One (FP1) Thursday morning at Daytona international Speedway.
Riding his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide, Wyman covered the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:51.619 to lead the field of 17 riders.
Tyler O’Hara was second-best with a 1:51.639 on his S&S Indian Challenger, and defending Champion Hayden Gillim was third-fastest with a 1:52.418 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.
Reigning Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss was fourth with a 1:52.816 on his S&S Indian Challenger, and Bobby Fong rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:53.208 on his SDI/Roland sands Racing Indian.
Gus Rodio dominated MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Free Practice One (FP1) Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660, Rodio lapped the 3.51-mile course in 1:57.509 to lead the field of 27 riders.
Avery Dreher, the reigning MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, was the best of the rest with a 1:59.073 on his TopPro Racing Aprilia, and Rodio’s teammate Ben Gloddy was third with a 2:00.334.
Rossi Moor was fourth-fastest with a 2:00.703 in his debut on his new Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R, and Rocco Landers rounded out the top five with a 2:00.729 on his RevZilla/Motu/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R.
Every Sprint and every Grand Prix race will be shown live across the U.S. in 2024
Thursday, 07 March 2024
MotoGP™ has a new broadcast home in the U.S. through an expanded media rights agreement with TNT Sports. Beginning with this weekend’s Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, fans across the U.S. will be able to watch every Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix race live in 2024 across TNT Sports’ networks and platforms.
truTV and Max’s B/R Sports Add-On will show every race of this record-breaking MotoGP™ season live, including top quality pre-race coverage. Max’s B/R Sports Add-On will also stream every session for every Grand Prix class across all three days of track activity, including the MotoGP™ qualifying shootout and the Grand Prix races for Moto2™ and Moto3™.
This partnership between MotoGP™ and TNT Sports represents a new era for live MotoGP™ coverage in the U.S., bringing TNT Sports’ world-class production and coverage to a U.S. audience that is passionate for high-octane motorsports.
MotoGP™ joins Max’s B/R Sports Add-On, which offers exceptional value with a full slate of premium live sports content included, such as the MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, U.S. Soccer, 24 Hours of Le Mans and a variety of non-live sports programming to appeal to every fan.
Fans can start tuning in to the record-breaking 2024 MotoGP™ season on truTV and Max’s B/R Sports Add-On this weekend as the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar marks the return of the world’s most exciting sport from the 8th to the 10th of March.
About TNT Sports
TNT Sports is a global leader in the delivery of premium sports content. The TNT Sports U.S. portfolio includes expansive, multi-platform partnerships with the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, National Hockey League, United States Soccer Federation, NASCAR (coming in 2025) and a premier golf franchise in The Match. Owned and operated platforms are highlighted by Bleacher Report, the #1 digital destination for young sports fans, along with House of Highlights, HighlightHER, Golf Digest, and a full suite of digital and social portfolio brands. Additionally, TNT Sports co-manages NBA Digital — comprised of NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE Pass, the NBA App and NBAGLEAGUE.com — as well as NCAA.com and NCAA March Madness Live. TNT Sports in Europe and the Republic of Ireland includes partnerships with the NBA, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UFC, WWE and more, as well as much-loved brands Eurosport, Global Cycling Network (GCN), Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) and multi-sport programming and content on discovery+ and Discovery’s free-to-air TV networks.
About MotoGP™
MotoGP™ is the world’ most exciting sport. The pinnacle of motorcycle racing, 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, reaching top speeds above 360 kilometers per hour (223 miles per hour) and lean angles of over 60 degrees. Since 1949, the sport has grown to comprise more than 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES CONFIRMS SVARTPILEN 801 PRODUCTION FOR 2024
ALL NEW NAKED MOTORCYCLE TO BE UNVEILED TO THE WORLD ON MARCH 19
Husqvarna Motorcycles is looking forward to the highly anticipated unveiling of its latest and largest displacement street machine – the 2024 Svartpilen 801 – on 19th March. The all-new middleweight model has been engineered to deliver a powerful combination of performance, agility, and contemporary style to take riding to even greater heights.
Weighing just 181 kg and powered by a compact, parallel-twin engine producing 105 hp, the Svartpilen 801 offers a dynamic power-to-weight ratio. The versatility of the Svartpilen 801 is enhanced further by state-of-the-art electronic rider aids, including Easy Shift for seamless gear changes, as standard. A class-leading technology package meanwhile maximises the riding experience and safety throughout every ride. As part of an extensive testing process, the Svartpilen 801 prototype was ridden on both a flat-track oval and an ice track. This diverse program of sideways action and stunning ice rides on spiked tyres played a vital role in developing a truly versatile motorcycle that encourages you to escape the ordinary.
The distinct and minimalist style of the new Svartpilen 801 is achieved by a selection of striking components that combine to create a unique, scrambler-inspired motorcycle. Slimline ergonomic bodywork wraps neatly around the engine and frame for unrestricted movement while the steering damper and adjustable WP suspension provide exceptional comfort on every ride.
The full specification, imagery, and technical data for the new Svartpilen 801 will be released on March 19, 2024.
There was no one guarding it, so I climbed six or seven feet into the air onto a tiny television platform with no guardrail and started photographing from the apex of Turn 10 at the MotoGP pre-season test at Qatar. Not the brightest idea, but I’m willing to take risks to get “the shot” that I might not get otherwise.
From Turn 10, you can see the riders hurtle out of Turn Seven and snake their way through the esses, kissing the apexes and flicking the bikes right-left-right before slamming on the brakes for the tight left-hander.
Before I could read the number on the approaching machine, I could spot Marc Marquez. Even from a distance, his stance and movements on the Gresini Ducati looked awkward compared to the other riders. They flowed across their machines; Marquez seemed to stiff-arm his body movements. His body posture at the apex of Turn 10 looked hesitant. When asked about his physical condition after the tests, he said, “The doctors will tell you my arm works, but …” and then shrugged.
Much of the MotoGP pre-season narrative has been around the return of Marquez to a competitive machine. Fourth-quickest in his first outing on a Desmosedici at Jerez raised expectations that wins were a given and a title a strong possibility. I mean, it’s Marc, he’s on last year’s title-winning bike, how could he not walk away from the field?
I hope I’m wrong. But I don’t think so. And after talking to Marquez after the tests, I don’t think he believes he’s a title contender or even an immediate race winner, either. And based on his own words, I think Marquez may have won his last MotoGP title.
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Marquez in person several times over the years. One of the tenets of interpersonal communication is that non-verbal communication tells you more than mere words. The Marquez who showed up at the post-Qatar test media scrum’s non-verbal communication spoke volumes. His tone of voice, his posture, all were 180 degrees different than the Marquez of 2019, even the Marquez of a couple of years ago at Circuit of The Americas. His speech is quieter. Some of the swagger in the walk is gone.
Marc Marquez (93) won the 2019 Valencia MotoGP race with an injured shoulder. He scored 12 wins and 6 second places out of 19 starts that season. Photo by Michael Gougis.
My therapist says that sometimes you have to take people at face value. Marquez has consistently downplayed his chances during the 2024 off-season. And while others say he’s sandbagging or being coy, I think he’s telling the truth. His non-verbal and verbal communication are in complete alignment when he says that starting with the expectation of winning will lead only to frustration, when he says he needs to rebuild his confidence.
If you take his words at face value, it’s easy to look at his recent history and see how a rider could get to that mental and emotional place. The last four years of his career have been pain, surgery and trying to get a Honda RC (Recalcitrant Cycle) 213V to stop throwing him onto the ground and into the air. The 2023 Honda was a nasty piece of work, based on the number of times all of its riders crashed and how desperately nearly all of those riders sought work elsewhere in the paddock!
Marquez’ ability to ride through the pain barrier has been sorely tested. Crashing 29 times in a season will test anyone’s confidence. He’s come a very, very long way from the heights of a career where he seemed to be able to do anything, anytime, and get away with it.
And Marquez knows that the clock is ticking on his career, knows it in a way that few people other than professional athletes and models know. He talks about being older, about how younger, very fast riders are coming up through the ranks. And he sees it from the perspective of a rider who used to be untouchable, and is now all too vulnerable.
“Every athlete has his moment, and then his performance starts to decline,” Marquez said in an interview on Thursday before the season-opener at Qatar. “I have had my MotoGP moment. Now I have to work to slow the level of the decline.”
Marquez suffered several mechanical malfunctions during pre-season testing, and at one point the scoring monitors in the press room at Qatar flashed the message, “93 Marquez Retires At Turn 15.” And I wondered, just for a second, if that message might be true on a number of levels.
I see it this way: Marquez is telling the absolute truth about what he expects for 2024. His famous post-Jerez test smile in the Gresini garage was simply one of relief. He could push the machine hard and it wouldn’t bite him. He says he just wants to have fun again, and that having fun will come not from winning, but from riding a machine that he trusts and can push. I can see Marquez in the mix for the win at COTA and the Sachsenring, but top three to six everywhere else.
Marc Marquez (93) was quick at Jerez in November 2023 on his first outing on the Gresini Ducati, but has set modest goals for 2024. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Of course, I not only could be completely wrong, but I hope I am. We’re talking about Marquez here, the man who has won MotoGP races with essentially one functioning arm. If his confidence grows, and the 2023 Desmosedici is up to the task, there’s every chance that he could blast to the title. If Marquez feels like he can push, I would not want to be side-by-side going into a corner next to him. Everyone knows what a healthy, hungry Marquez can do. If he does win a title, it’ll be a comeback like that of Mike Hailwood and his stunning return to TT dominance.
Whatever happens, I just hope Marc gets to be Marc on a racebike again – riding with abandon, pushing, squeezing more out of the machine than anyone thinks possible. Whatever the results, that – to me – would be a win for us as fans and for him as a rider and a human.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Dunlop will be going for their 32nd Daytona 200 win this year, and more riders will be racing on Dunlop tires than any other tire brand combined!
The Daytona 200 continues to flourish, attracting premier tire competitors, all chomping at the bit for the win at one of the most prestigious road racing events of the year.
After a successful two day, pre Daytona test with over 30 riders at Roebling Road Raceway –
Over 30 riders will choose to race on Dunlop Sportmax Slicks in the 83rd running of the Daytona 200! In addition to being the official tire of the MotoAmerica series since 2015 with the same trustworthy staff and familiar product, last year at the Daytona 200, Dunlop riders finished first and second and blew apart the record books!
Dunlop riders Herrin, Hayes and Escalante were the only riders to get under 1:49.00 in the race.
Fastest lap of the weekend was a 1:48.133 by Richie Escalante in Q2 which also happened to be a new track record.
Fast lap of the race A was a 1:48.241 by Josh Herrin on lap 23. Previous track record was held by Herrin which was 1:48.331.
Fast lap of race B was a 1:49.635 by Dunlop rider Blake Davis.
*All riders listed below will stick with the support and tires they trust for 2024: Dunlop
BLAKE DAVIS
JOSH HERRIN
JOSH HAYES
DAVID ANTHONY
ELI BLOCK
SEAN HOPKINS
TAYLOR KNAPP
BOBBY FONG
RICHIE ESCALANTE
JOSH BOOTH
CARL SOLTISZ
TYLER SCOTT
TEAGG HOBBS
ANTHONY FANIA
DANILO LEWIS
HAYDEN GILLIM
BRANDON PAASCH
TONY BLACKALL
GUS RODIO
SHANE MAGGS
CHUCK IVEY
RICHARD COOPER
ALAN PHILLIPS
MAX ANGLES
TREVOR DION
RIGO SALAZAR
CHRIS SABORA
RYAN SNOOKS
JOSH GALLUSSER
EDDIE KAYE
PETER HICKMAN
KYLE KEARCHER
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook and X for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Gus Rodio earned provisional pole during MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Qualifying One (Q1) Thursday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660, Rodio covered the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:56.257 to top the field of 27 entries.
Dominic Doyle was second-fastest on his Giaccmoto Yamaha YZF-R7 with a time of 1:56.599.
Avery Dreher, the reigning MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, turned the third-fastest lap, a 1:56.755, on his TopPro Racing Aprilia RS 660.
Rocco Landers finished the session fourth with a time of 1:57.191 on his new RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R.
Ed Sullivan, the former crew chief of MotoAmerica Superbike racer Mathew Scholtz, did a fifth-best 1:57.643 on his SE Composites Racing Yamaha.
Defending Champion Tyler O’Hara topped MotoAmerica Roland Sands Design (RSD) Super Hooligan Free Practice One (FP1) Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his S&S Indian FTR, O’Hara lapped the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:54.328 to top the field of 36 riders.
Cory West was a close second in the session with a 1:54.502 on his Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Pan America.
O’Hara’s teammate Troy Herfoss was third-quickest at 1:54.927 on his Indian.
West’s teammate Travis Wyman finished the session fourth with a 1:56.098 on his Pan America.
Nate Kern rounded out the top five with a 1:56.276 on his Kern Racing BMW Rnine T.
Richie Escalante was quickest during MotoAmerica Daytona 200 free practice Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, the Mexican rider lapped the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:48.968 to lead the field of 68 riders.
Josh Herrin, the winner of the 2023 Daytona 200, was second-best with a 1:49.421 on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Escalante’s teammate and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch was third with a 1:49.575.
Tyler Scott, the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up and another Escalante teammate, was fourth at 1:49.697.
Bobby Fong rounded out the top five with a 1:49.833 on his Wrench Motorcycles Suzuki GSX-R750.
PJ Jacobsen crashed his new Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 during the session but escaped injury.
The 68-rider Daytona 200 field was split into two separate practice groups, A and B, based on “demonstrated experience,” according to MotoAmerica Operations Director Niccole Cox.
Kyle Wyman was quickest in Mission King Of The Baggers Free Practice One (FP1) Thursday morning at Daytona international Speedway.
Riding his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide, Wyman covered the 3.51-mile infield road course in 1:51.619 to lead the field of 17 riders.
Tyler O’Hara was second-best with a 1:51.639 on his S&S Indian Challenger, and defending Champion Hayden Gillim was third-fastest with a 1:52.418 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.
Reigning Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss was fourth with a 1:52.816 on his S&S Indian Challenger, and Bobby Fong rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:53.208 on his SDI/Roland sands Racing Indian.
Gus Rodio dominated MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Free Practice One (FP1) Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660, Rodio lapped the 3.51-mile course in 1:57.509 to lead the field of 27 riders.
Avery Dreher, the reigning MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, was the best of the rest with a 1:59.073 on his TopPro Racing Aprilia, and Rodio’s teammate Ben Gloddy was third with a 2:00.334.
Rossi Moor was fourth-fastest with a 2:00.703 in his debut on his new Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R, and Rocco Landers rounded out the top five with a 2:00.729 on his RevZilla/Motu/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R.
TNT Sports is the new U.S. broadcast home of MotoGP races. Photo courtesy Dorna.
MotoGP™ partners with TNT Sports in the U.S.
Every Sprint and every Grand Prix race will be shown live across the U.S. in 2024
Thursday, 07 March 2024
MotoGP™ has a new broadcast home in the U.S. through an expanded media rights agreement with TNT Sports. Beginning with this weekend’s Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, fans across the U.S. will be able to watch every Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix race live in 2024 across TNT Sports’ networks and platforms.
truTV and Max’s B/R Sports Add-On will show every race of this record-breaking MotoGP™ season live, including top quality pre-race coverage. Max’s B/R Sports Add-On will also stream every session for every Grand Prix class across all three days of track activity, including the MotoGP™ qualifying shootout and the Grand Prix races for Moto2™ and Moto3™.
This partnership between MotoGP™ and TNT Sports represents a new era for live MotoGP™ coverage in the U.S., bringing TNT Sports’ world-class production and coverage to a U.S. audience that is passionate for high-octane motorsports.
MotoGP™ joins Max’s B/R Sports Add-On, which offers exceptional value with a full slate of premium live sports content included, such as the MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, U.S. Soccer, 24 Hours of Le Mans and a variety of non-live sports programming to appeal to every fan.
Fans can start tuning in to the record-breaking 2024 MotoGP™ season on truTV and Max’s B/R Sports Add-On this weekend as the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar marks the return of the world’s most exciting sport from the 8th to the 10th of March.
About TNT Sports
TNT Sports is a global leader in the delivery of premium sports content. The TNT Sports U.S. portfolio includes expansive, multi-platform partnerships with the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, National Hockey League, United States Soccer Federation, NASCAR (coming in 2025) and a premier golf franchise in The Match. Owned and operated platforms are highlighted by Bleacher Report, the #1 digital destination for young sports fans, along with House of Highlights, HighlightHER, Golf Digest, and a full suite of digital and social portfolio brands. Additionally, TNT Sports co-manages NBA Digital — comprised of NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE Pass, the NBA App and NBAGLEAGUE.com — as well as NCAA.com and NCAA March Madness Live. TNT Sports in Europe and the Republic of Ireland includes partnerships with the NBA, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UFC, WWE and more, as well as much-loved brands Eurosport, Global Cycling Network (GCN), Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) and multi-sport programming and content on discovery+ and Discovery’s free-to-air TV networks.
About MotoGP™
MotoGP™ is the world’ most exciting sport. The pinnacle of motorcycle racing, 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, reaching top speeds above 360 kilometers per hour (223 miles per hour) and lean angles of over 60 degrees. Since 1949, the sport has grown to comprise more than 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
A 2024-model Husqvarna Svartpilen 801. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES CONFIRMS SVARTPILEN 801 PRODUCTION FOR 2024
ALL NEW NAKED MOTORCYCLE TO BE UNVEILED TO THE WORLD ON MARCH 19
Husqvarna Motorcycles is looking forward to the highly anticipated unveiling of its latest and largest displacement street machine – the 2024 Svartpilen 801 – on 19th March. The all-new middleweight model has been engineered to deliver a powerful combination of performance, agility, and contemporary style to take riding to even greater heights.
Weighing just 181 kg and powered by a compact, parallel-twin engine producing 105 hp, the Svartpilen 801 offers a dynamic power-to-weight ratio. The versatility of the Svartpilen 801 is enhanced further by state-of-the-art electronic rider aids, including Easy Shift for seamless gear changes, as standard. A class-leading technology package meanwhile maximises the riding experience and safety throughout every ride. As part of an extensive testing process, the Svartpilen 801 prototype was ridden on both a flat-track oval and an ice track. This diverse program of sideways action and stunning ice rides on spiked tyres played a vital role in developing a truly versatile motorcycle that encourages you to escape the ordinary.
The distinct and minimalist style of the new Svartpilen 801 is achieved by a selection of striking components that combine to create a unique, scrambler-inspired motorcycle. Slimline ergonomic bodywork wraps neatly around the engine and frame for unrestricted movement while the steering damper and adjustable WP suspension provide exceptional comfort on every ride.
The full specification, imagery, and technical data for the new Svartpilen 801 will be released on March 19, 2024.
Marc Marquez (93) in pre-season testing under the lights at Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
First Person/Opinion
By Michael Gougis
There was no one guarding it, so I climbed six or seven feet into the air onto a tiny television platform with no guardrail and started photographing from the apex of Turn 10 at the MotoGP pre-season test at Qatar. Not the brightest idea, but I’m willing to take risks to get “the shot” that I might not get otherwise.
From Turn 10, you can see the riders hurtle out of Turn Seven and snake their way through the esses, kissing the apexes and flicking the bikes right-left-right before slamming on the brakes for the tight left-hander.
Before I could read the number on the approaching machine, I could spot Marc Marquez. Even from a distance, his stance and movements on the Gresini Ducati looked awkward compared to the other riders. They flowed across their machines; Marquez seemed to stiff-arm his body movements. His body posture at the apex of Turn 10 looked hesitant. When asked about his physical condition after the tests, he said, “The doctors will tell you my arm works, but …” and then shrugged.
Much of the MotoGP pre-season narrative has been around the return of Marquez to a competitive machine. Fourth-quickest in his first outing on a Desmosedici at Jerez raised expectations that wins were a given and a title a strong possibility. I mean, it’s Marc, he’s on last year’s title-winning bike, how could he not walk away from the field?
I hope I’m wrong. But I don’t think so. And after talking to Marquez after the tests, I don’t think he believes he’s a title contender or even an immediate race winner, either. And based on his own words, I think Marquez may have won his last MotoGP title.
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Marquez in person several times over the years. One of the tenets of interpersonal communication is that non-verbal communication tells you more than mere words. The Marquez who showed up at the post-Qatar test media scrum’s non-verbal communication spoke volumes. His tone of voice, his posture, all were 180 degrees different than the Marquez of 2019, even the Marquez of a couple of years ago at Circuit of The Americas. His speech is quieter. Some of the swagger in the walk is gone.
Marc Marquez (93) won the 2019 Valencia MotoGP race with an injured shoulder. He scored 12 wins and 6 second places out of 19 starts that season. Photo by Michael Gougis.
My therapist says that sometimes you have to take people at face value. Marquez has consistently downplayed his chances during the 2024 off-season. And while others say he’s sandbagging or being coy, I think he’s telling the truth. His non-verbal and verbal communication are in complete alignment when he says that starting with the expectation of winning will lead only to frustration, when he says he needs to rebuild his confidence.
If you take his words at face value, it’s easy to look at his recent history and see how a rider could get to that mental and emotional place. The last four years of his career have been pain, surgery and trying to get a Honda RC (Recalcitrant Cycle) 213V to stop throwing him onto the ground and into the air. The 2023 Honda was a nasty piece of work, based on the number of times all of its riders crashed and how desperately nearly all of those riders sought work elsewhere in the paddock!
Marquez’ ability to ride through the pain barrier has been sorely tested. Crashing 29 times in a season will test anyone’s confidence. He’s come a very, very long way from the heights of a career where he seemed to be able to do anything, anytime, and get away with it.
And Marquez knows that the clock is ticking on his career, knows it in a way that few people other than professional athletes and models know. He talks about being older, about how younger, very fast riders are coming up through the ranks. And he sees it from the perspective of a rider who used to be untouchable, and is now all too vulnerable.
“Every athlete has his moment, and then his performance starts to decline,” Marquez said in an interview on Thursday before the season-opener at Qatar. “I have had my MotoGP moment. Now I have to work to slow the level of the decline.”
Marquez suffered several mechanical malfunctions during pre-season testing, and at one point the scoring monitors in the press room at Qatar flashed the message, “93 Marquez Retires At Turn 15.” And I wondered, just for a second, if that message might be true on a number of levels.
I see it this way: Marquez is telling the absolute truth about what he expects for 2024. His famous post-Jerez test smile in the Gresini garage was simply one of relief. He could push the machine hard and it wouldn’t bite him. He says he just wants to have fun again, and that having fun will come not from winning, but from riding a machine that he trusts and can push. I can see Marquez in the mix for the win at COTA and the Sachsenring, but top three to six everywhere else.
Marc Marquez (93) was quick at Jerez in November 2023 on his first outing on the Gresini Ducati, but has set modest goals for 2024. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Of course, I not only could be completely wrong, but I hope I am. We’re talking about Marquez here, the man who has won MotoGP races with essentially one functioning arm. If his confidence grows, and the 2023 Desmosedici is up to the task, there’s every chance that he could blast to the title. If Marquez feels like he can push, I would not want to be side-by-side going into a corner next to him. Everyone knows what a healthy, hungry Marquez can do. If he does win a title, it’ll be a comeback like that of Mike Hailwood and his stunning return to TT dominance.
Whatever happens, I just hope Marc gets to be Marc on a racebike again – riding with abandon, pushing, squeezing more out of the machine than anyone thinks possible. Whatever the results, that – to me – would be a win for us as fans and for him as a rider and a human.
Blake Davis (22) will contest the 2024 Daytona 200 on Dunlop tires. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Dunlop will be going for their 32nd Daytona 200 win this year, and more riders will be racing on Dunlop tires than any other tire brand combined!
The Daytona 200 continues to flourish, attracting premier tire competitors, all chomping at the bit for the win at one of the most prestigious road racing events of the year.
After a successful two day, pre Daytona test with over 30 riders at Roebling Road Raceway –
Over 30 riders will choose to race on Dunlop Sportmax Slicks in the 83rd running of the Daytona 200! In addition to being the official tire of the MotoAmerica series since 2015 with the same trustworthy staff and familiar product, last year at the Daytona 200, Dunlop riders finished first and second and blew apart the record books!
Dunlop riders Herrin, Hayes and Escalante were the only riders to get under 1:49.00 in the race.
Fastest lap of the weekend was a 1:48.133 by Richie Escalante in Q2 which also happened to be a new track record.
Fast lap of the race A was a 1:48.241 by Josh Herrin on lap 23. Previous track record was held by Herrin which was 1:48.331.
Fast lap of race B was a 1:49.635 by Dunlop rider Blake Davis.
*All riders listed below will stick with the support and tires they trust for 2024: Dunlop
BLAKE DAVIS
JOSH HERRIN
JOSH HAYES
DAVID ANTHONY
ELI BLOCK
SEAN HOPKINS
TAYLOR KNAPP
BOBBY FONG
RICHIE ESCALANTE
JOSH BOOTH
CARL SOLTISZ
TYLER SCOTT
TEAGG HOBBS
ANTHONY FANIA
DANILO LEWIS
HAYDEN GILLIM
BRANDON PAASCH
TONY BLACKALL
GUS RODIO
SHANE MAGGS
CHUCK IVEY
RICHARD COOPER
ALAN PHILLIPS
MAX ANGLES
TREVOR DION
RIGO SALAZAR
CHRIS SABORA
RYAN SNOOKS
JOSH GALLUSSER
EDDIE KAYE
PETER HICKMAN
KYLE KEARCHER
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook and X for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
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