Marquez continues to cause controversy

MotoGP News
Date: 4/June/2012

Moto2 title favourite Marc Marquez, all but certain to step up to MotoGP next season, continues to cause controversy in the intermediate grand prix class.

The innocent looking Spanish teenager has been a regular visitor to Race Direction due to on-track incidents, including a frightening collision with Ratthapark Wilairot after a free practice session had ended in Phillip Island last year.

Marquez wasn’t to blame for his season-ending spill at the following Sepang round, on an unmarked section of wet track, but his last lap contact with Thomas Luthi while fighting for victory in Qatar 2012 saw his riding once again questioned.

Unpunished for the Losail incident, Marquez initially found himself on the receiving end of a hefty one-minute penalty following Sunday’s Catalunya round, imposed by Race Direction for a clash with countryman Pol Espargaro in the closing stages of the race.

The incident summed up the two sides to Marquez.

It began when Marquez brilliantly saved a near crash, but ran wide whilst wrestling his Suter back under control. Espargaro, leading the championship, dived for the space created - but Marquez then sliced back across towards the inside kerb, causing a heavy impact that sent Espargaro bouncing across the asphalt.

Marquez was able to continue and claim third, which then became 23rd after the penalty. However, in a highly unusual situation, the FIM Stewards overturned the decision of Race Direction, reinstating Marquez.

Whilst the appeals were ongoing, the MotoGP top three offered their opinions of who was to blame.

Winner Jorge Lorenzo felt that Espargaro should have known Marquez would cut back across.

“It was a little risky for Pol to overtake there,” he said. “Marquez was in front and Pol knew he was going to close the line. Pol saw the opportunity and wanted to pass, but maybe it was not the right moment.”

But Dani Pedrosa, who lost the MotoGP race to Lorenzo at the very same turn, saw things differently.

“When Jorge passed me it was almost the same,” said the Honda rider. “I ran a little wide and I knew I had left the door open. I didn't know if Jorge was there or not, but I couldn't come back like no-one was there just in case. Yes, Pol was a little behind at that moment, but Marquez has to be aware that if you leave the door open someone can get in.”

Third place Andrea Dovizioso gave a “50/50” verdict.

“Marquez was in front so he couldn't see Pol,” the Yamaha Tech 3 rider explained. “For Espargaro it was the same, because he was leaning over and couldn't see exactly where Marquez was. It is bad to see this kind of crash but I don't think there is a clear fault.”

As Dovizioso suggested, Marquez insisted he simply hadn’t seen Espargaro. “I didn't see him because we have no mirrors and I can't see what is going on behind me,” commented the Repsol rider.

Luthi now leads the MotoGP championship with Marquez second and Espargaro third.

Earlier in the weekend Valentino Rossi said that “for sure” Marquez will be given a full factory Honda in MotoGP next year, although it remains to be seen which team he rides for.