The most remarkable incident in the otherwise processional Grand Prix of Catalunya was the second lap crash by Marc Marquez, his second in a row and third unforced error this year. The two time MotoGP world champion picked up his bike with the help of track marshals but headed straight into the pits and shut the door. He spoke to the Spanish press afterwards.
“What has happened it is, with the desire to (win the) race at home, I tried to give one hundred percent but when you’re not ready to stand in front, these things happen.” he said.
“I tried to follow Jorge, but I made a mistake, I’ve gone over (the end of the track) and when I went into the gravel, I saw the wall very close and I decided to tilt the bike. With these bikes now (you) have to be very careful because if you’re not, anything can happen.” he continued, explaining his decision to deliberately dump into the gravel rather than risk a high speed accident.
Responding to a question about whether he may have hit Jorge Lorenzo, thus causing the accident, Marquez said “I always try 100%, but look out for others.” There was “no contact. I have hit no one.”
Marquez now trails the championship leaders, Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo by 69 and 68 points respectively, meaning his chances of a title fight are effectively over.
