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Marc Marquez misses old MotoGP, says modern bikes are like robots
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Sports

Marc Marquez misses old MotoGP, says modern bikes are like robots

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • MotoGP rider Marc Marquez expresses nostalgia for the racing style of a decade ago, feeling modern bikes have become too robotic.
  • He attributes this change to advancements in aerodynamics and ride-height devices, which he believes force riders to conform to the machine's demands.
  • Marquez argues that current bikes lack the responsiveness of older models, where riders could push limits and recover from slides, leading to more spectacular saves.

MotoGP star Marc Marquez laments the evolution of modern racing bikes, stating he misses the riding experience from a decade ago. The seven-time world champion feels that current MotoGP machines, heavily influenced by aerodynamics and ride-height devices, have transformed racing into a more mechanical endeavor.

"I enjoyed riding the bikes most in 2014, 2015, and 2016 when there was no aerodynamics," Marquez said. "Now these motorcycles are fun, but the riding style is more like a robot. You have to follow what the aerodynamics want, and you can no longer force the motorcycle to follow your will. If you fight the aerodynamics, you become slower."

I enjoyed riding the bikes most in 2014, 2015, and 2016 when there was no aerodynamics. Now these motorcycles are fun, but the riding style is more like a robot. You have to follow what the aerodynamics want, and you can no longer force the motorcycle to follow your will. If you fight the aerodynamics, you become slower.

— Marc MarquezMarquez explains his feelings about the current state of MotoGP bikes compared to those from a decade ago.

Marquez contrasts this with earlier eras, where riders could explore the true limits of their machines and gain an advantage through superior skill. He recalls that in 2014-2016, pushing a bike beyond its limits could actually lead to faster lap times as the bike would slide and the front end would lose grip, allowing for incredible saves.

"Now it's not like that because the downforce is too high. When the front tire loses grip, it doesn't recover. That's the character of the motorcycle when I was with Honda, and it's not about Honda or Ducati, but the style of the motorcycle itself," he explained. MotoGP is set to introduce new regulations in 2027, reducing aerodynamic elements and banning ride-height devices, but Marquez believes the reduction in aerodynamics should be more drastic.

Now it's not like that because the downforce is too high. When the front tire loses grip, it doesn't recover. That's the character of the motorcycle when I was with Honda, and it's not about Honda or Ducati, but the style of the motorcycle itself.

— Marc MarquezMarquez describes how modern MotoGP bikes handle differently, making recovery from slides more difficult.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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