A significant milestone was hit on Sunday afternoon at the Australian Grand Prix for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), but it wasn’t the most important topic to celebrate. 100 premier class podiums – his 139th overall – is an incredible achievement that shouldn’t be underestimated. However, the smile was back. That smile is something that was guaranteed to return a few months ago.
Before his fourth, career-defining surgery in America after the Italian Grand Prix, the eight-time World Champion was still quick. Wins in Germany, America and Emilia-Romagna, coupled with P2 in Aragon signalled an impressive return to action in 2021. Then the diplopia return derailed the end of last season, before a decision was made to have said fourth operation in the hope that it will fully fix the right humerus bone.
Marquez claimed five top 6s before finishing P10 at Mugello earlier this year. Then it was all about whether we'd see him return before the end of the season, and if so, how fast would Marquez be? We didn’t get to see his potential in Aragon after the opening lap incident with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), but P4 and P5 in Japan and Thailand respectively were hugely promising.
Then we returned to an all-time classic: Phillip Island. A left-hand circuit. A track at which Marquez has three MotoGP™ victories, including the last time we visited in 2019. It was always going to be a fascinating race because the fast, flowing, meandering layout lends itself to unbelievable racing. It’s the main reason it’s a rider, fan, and everyone in-between’s favourite, alongside the stunning location.
And it was no surprise that Marquez was in the thick of the victory battle. That first podium of the season was eventually pocketed as both he and eventual race winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) passed new World Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on the final lap. The win was 0.186s away, but the smile was back. The enjoyment factor was back. Not enjoying the podium, enjoying the way the podium was achieved.
“Yeah, the last race I enjoyed was 2020 in Jerez. That race was one of my best in my career,” said Marquez in the post-race Press Conference. “The finish of that race was not the best one, but it was the best one about performance and I enjoyed it a lot. So, today I enjoyed again, but we need to be realistic.
“It’s a left circuit. The pace was super slow. I was not pushing a lot the first 10, 15 laps with that soft rear tyre. I was managing the tyre, and also my physical condition. In Malaysia, we will struggle again, but in Valencia we will have another chance I believe to be closer to the top. Let’s see. We will have an important winter if we want to fight for the title in 2023.”
Struggling in particular races is to be expected. 2023 is when we’ll see a – hopefully – fully fit Marquez back on a revamped Honda RC213V, which was the whole aim of the latest operation – to be ready for 2023. The Australian GP podium was a very welcomed boost for Marquez and his team, and for it to be his 100th premier class podium added a little sprinkle of magic to it.
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"WE ARE COMING" - CENTURION MARC MARQUEZ FIRES 2023 WARNING
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COMPLETING THE CENTURY: MARC MARQUEZ HITS 100 PODIUMS
“First of all, I’m really happy about this podium. Means a lot for me. Means a lot for all the people that helped me in this tough season, and to all the doctors, to all the physios that I work with. We are coming better and better. Even Honda is working hard and nothing in the game now, but they are working really hard for 2023. This podium means a lot because to keep the motivation, to show to them that still the rider that won six titles with Honda is there. Always they believe in me a lot.”
Two races remain in 2022 before all attentions turn to 2023 at the Valencia Test. A huge winter then rears its head before pre-season testing begins at the Sepang International Circuit in early February. We’ll then get an indication of where Marquez and Honda lie in the pecking order.
That 139th podium saw Marquez equal MotoGP™ Legend and Spain’s 12+1 time World Champion, Angel Nieto, on the all-time list. Only four riders now have more podiums in Grand Prix motorcycle racing than Marquez: Valentino Rossi (235), Giacomo Agostini (159), Dani Pedrosa (153) and Jorge Lorenzo (152). How close will he be to those Legends by the time 2023 ends?