Marquez crashes out of Jerez race after collision with Jules Cluzel

The day was not suitable to take risk in a Jerez track that woke under the rain. Emilio Alzamora’s advice to his pupil was clear: to be very cautious in today’s race. Márquez followed the instructions and began carefully, without taking any risks.

Starting from fourth place, he had a good start, but the first lap saw him in eleventh position. Afterwards, when he was recovering ground while the tyres got warmer, Cluzel braked too late at the end of the starting/finish straight and dragged Márquez out of the race. Fortunately, he was not hurt in the accident.

The race started with a fast Bradley Smith in the lead, and in two laps there were a couple of groups fighting in the top positions. In the first one were, apart from the British rider, Takahashi, Iannone, Luthi and Corsi, while Márquez was at the end of the second group. When his tyres reached the optimal temperature, the Repsol rider increased his pace until he caught Cluzel in the ninth lap.

A lap later, Marquez overtook the French rider, Takahashi fell and Alzamora’s pupil took the fifth place, 2.8 seconds behind the fourth -Bradley Smith-, and with a faster pace. His chances seemed good, but after crossing the Finish line, in the right-hand corner number 1, Cluzel entered the corner too fast, braked and hit Márquez from behind.

Now, the current 125cc World Champion is already focused on the next Grand Prix, which will take place in one month in Portugal.

Marc Márquez: “I was having a good race. I had learnt from my mistake in Qatar and I was taking it calmly. I had a good start, that was not perfect but I knew I would do it with practice. I was very cautious in the first laps to warm the tyres and then I overtook some riders until reaching fifth place. You never know what can happen, but I saw a chance to fight for third because I had a good pace and felt comfortable on the bike.

After overtaking Cluzel, in the following lap he hit me. I accepted his apologies, but that does not change the result. This is why in Moto2 you have to watch for the rest apart from being careful with what you do. My leg is a bit sore, but it is nothing serious and that is the most important thing”.

Source: Repsol Media