
Last Wednesday, the worst-kept MotoGP secret was confirmed. Marc Marquez will be leaving Honda at the end of the 2023 season, escaping one year early from his 4 year contract. I must admit that I was surprised. I did think that he would stay and that Honda would have promised him a winning bike for 2024. I guess he’s heard the promises before and been disappointed, so this time it was the last.
Marquez’s record at Honda is stunning. 11 years with the team, 163 starts, 64 pole positions, 59 fastest laps, 101 podiums, 59 wins, 2594 points and, most importantly, 6 World Championships.
The hot gossip is that he will be signing with Gresini Ducati for 2024 to partner his brother. Should he get to grips quickly with the winningest bike in the paddock (and he should) then the standout rider of the last decade who, I remind you, is still only 30 years old, could easily eclipse every pre-existing Grand Prix record before he finally decides to hang up his helmet.
This weekend coming the circus sets up camp in humid Indonesia with the two main title contenders staring each other down. Martin has come from the clouds to be breathing down Pecco’s neck and has the momentum well and truly flowing his way. The outsider, Bezz, some 50 points behind, not THAT far off, lengthened the odds considerably yesterday by crashing a dirt bike and breaking his collar bone. So it really looks like a battle between the works man and the PRAMAC man.
Today has been my best day for over a fortnight. I’m up and about, helping with the chores and feeling hugely better than I have been. I’m not 100% by any means but I feel much more like facing life than I have for a long time. Onwards and upwards.