The true picture of Marc Marquez’s debut season at Ducati and his potential with the Desmosedici has gradually come to light during the off-season and the beginning of the campaign. Following the Qatar Grand Prix, it appears that Marquez has a strong chance of success. Despite the discussion surrounding the superiority of the 2024 Ducati compared to the ’23 bike, Marquez finished the race with Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin not far ahead, although he admits that they are currently performing better than him. Marquez’s fourth-place finish in Qatar is significant, as throughout his grand prix racing career, this has typically led to a championship title. However, the riders who finished ahead of him were hesitant to fully acknowledge Marquez as a contender for the 2024 title. They recognized his performance but wanted to see more evidence before making a definitive judgment. This is understandable, as Marquez himself acknowledges that there is still room for improvement. Riding the Ducati is not yet second nature to him, and he needs to work on managing used tires. Marquez believes that he is gradually improving his riding style, but progress may not be consistent from one track to another. This is why the Portuguese Grand Prix will be a crucial test of his credentials for the 2024 season. Marquez acknowledges that he typically takes time to reach a good lap time at new tracks, and Portimao will be a fresh start for him. His track record at Portimao is difficult to interpret due to various circumstances, but the upcoming race will undoubtedly be a challenge. If Marquez struggles to adapt to the Desmosedici at Portimao, it could pose a significant problem. However, if he performs well and proves to be a frontrunner, then his title challenge will be legitimate, regardless of what others may say.
Verstappen emerged victorious in the Imola race on Sunday, but it was not the dominant display we have become accustomed to seeing from Red Bull and the Dutch...
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