The MotoGP summer break is coming to an end, and we’ll soon be back racing with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 7th.
It’s been a top campaign so far with plenty of surprises and twists, but it’s Fabio Quartararo who has stayed true to form to lead the standings at this stage.
Behind him, Aleix Espargaro, the man who has shocked so many with his performances so far this year, and the man who seems quite possibly the only rider who could stop Quartararo winning a second premier class title.
Ahead of Silverstone, then, Give Me Sport caught up with the team at BT Sport to get their thoughts on some of the talking points of the campaign so far and, here, we’re taking a look at Marc Marquez and whether he can ever get back to his very best levels after another operation:
SCARPERIA, ITALY – MAY 27: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team heads down a straight during the MotoGP of Italy – Free Practice at Mugello Circuit on May 27, 2022 in Scarperia, Italy. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
Neil Hodgson:
“I think he’s never going to be the same, we’re all hoping the operation has been a success, of course they’re saying it’s been a success at this stage but they said the first was a success before it wasn’t a success! And then they said the same about the second so anything you see now there’s no point listening to it but I hope it’s a success!
“I hope he can be back to fitness in his arm but he’s still got the diplopia hanging over him and there’s one thing we’ve learned about Marquez and through his whole career; he has one mode and it’s attack. He will attack and if he does that he’s going to bang his head again and if he does that he’s going to get diplopia again and then he’s not going to win a world championship.
“He’s going through all of this to get his arm right which I totally understand but I’m worried about his eye, how many more can he have? My body aches, I’ve had operations on legs, knees, shoulders, wrists and I wasn’t a crasher, I averaged 7 crashes a year, he averaged 30 and his are up to the ceiling.”
Michael Laverty:
“It’s a worry because of how he rides: So close to the limit – he’s always having a few crashes every race weekend and has done throughout his career. We’ve always said that was the worry if he starts to injure himself and every time he’s almost recovered from one he’s got another.
“I’d love to see this surgery put his arm right and he recovers but then there’s the worry of the diplopia coming back and if he gets double vision that doesn’t leave him that could be career over so he’s shown a fragility that wasn’t ‘t there in his early years.
“I still think he’s one of the best riders in the world, if you look at him at his best in 2019 he might be the best of all time, what he can do on two wheels is phenomenal so I’d like to see him back battling with Fabio. Will we ever see that Marc again? I’m unsure.
“If he does [get to that level] it’ll be one of the best comebacks ever, he just seems to go from one surgery to the next and he’s not been able to ride the bike how he wants – I’ve got this feeling we might never see Marc at his very best again.”
LAGOA, ALGARVE, PORTUGAL – APRIL 24: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team lifts the front wheel during the MotoGp WU during the MotoGP Of Portugal – Race at Autodromo do Algarve on April 24, 2022 in Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
Gavin Emmett:
“It is the 25 million dollars a year question because that is what he’s costing Honda to not be riding!
“Do I think he can return strong? Yes, can he get back to the level of 2019? I don’t know about that, but I think he can get back to a level enough to battle with Fabio, to battle with Pecco at the front of the championship.
“If he gives it the time and he’s realized you can’t rush these things then I don’t see why not, he won three races last year with one arm so if he can do that then I honestly don’t see why not .”
BT Sport is the home of MotoGP. Catch all the action from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone live on BT Sport on August 7. For more info go to bt.com/sport/motogp.
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