Mark Marquez has a “present” that could influence his rivals in the qualifying lap, the Clash MotoGP Podcast discussed.
One of Marquez’s infamous tactics over the race weekend is to use aerodynamic slipstreams to increase speed, seeking towing from another rider in qualifying.
Following the most successful riders on the grid can have a negative impact on Marquez’s selected target.
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“He’s not the tallest, but on the bike he seems to be seven feet tall! He has this presence,” Jordan Moreland told the podcast.
Peter McLaren explained:
“If it was someone else, they would say, ‘I pull broadly and slowly give up on my knees. The other guy would say ‘anything’.
“But Mark doesn’t. If he’s targeting them, he knows where his position is. Maybe they’re down the grid.
“We’ve seen riders being kicked out of Q1 in recent years, so he chose the guy to follow!
“Jack Miller said, ‘I’ll ignore it.’ If you’re sucked into it, you’re not focused on your knees. Things you don’t need to think about when you are wrestling a MotoGP bike around your qualifying knees.
“It has to play on the hearts of people to know they have Mark Marquez behind them.”
How to avoid Mark Marquestowe
Mark Marquez
The way Marquez stops seeking qualifying towing can become rare due to his resolve and the focus of riders pushed into their own knees.
“What can you do? You learn to ignore it. Put yourself in a situation where you can afford to retreat,” Peter McLaren said.
“That’s the only defense you have.
“If Mark is thinking, he’s already in the front row so this guy doesn’t need to rap…”
“It is the only time he has no choice but to give up and go alone.
“We’ve also seen Pecco Bagnaia fall out with others. Maybe that’s how you fight it.”
Marquez has not needed towing frequently since joining the factory Ducati team this season. Because he already owns such a competitive machine.
When he rode a Honda, tactics were more common. But it remains part of his arsenal despite criticism on Saturday.
Jordan Moreland said:
“He’ll do what he likes. No one can stop him because he’s so sturdy.
Peter McLaren added:
“To be fair to him, I don’t remember him complaining when others were toked from him.
“If that’s the case, you just have to learn to play the game.”
Marquez took a 68-point lead over the MotoGP Championship, winning second place Alex Marquez.
His brother will enter Motogup in Germany this weekend after his last injury. Alex is planning on starting the weekend, but we’ll still see if he’ll be able to get through it all.
Additionally, Saxenling is one of Mark’s historic favorites, looking to further enhance the grip with its 2025 title.