Marc Marquez admitted he felt stronger than expected after securing a dominant Sprint victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, although the Ducati rider insists his physical recovery remains a work in progress.
Just one day earlier, Marquez had expressed concerns about his ability to maintain race pace over longer distances due to the lingering effects of recent shoulder surgery. However, the six-time MotoGP champion put those doubts aside on Saturday by claiming pole position and leading every lap of the Sprint race at Balaton Park.
The Spaniard described the result as a pleasant surprise, revealing that both his physical condition and confidence on left-hand corners had improved significantly compared to previous rounds.
"I'm stronger than what I expected," Marquez said after the race.
He explained that Balaton Park's anti-clockwise layout, which features several left-hand turns, suited his riding style and allowed him to use his body more naturally on the bike. Earlier in the season, Marquez felt he was losing ground to other Ducati riders in left-hand corners, but believes he is beginning to regain that strength.
Source: Motorcycle News
While the Sprint result was encouraging, Marquez stressed that he is still not operating at full capacity. The shoulder continues to limit him physically, particularly as fatigue builds during a race.
According to the Ducati rider, the mental desire to push remains unchanged, but his body does not always respond the way he wants. He admitted that even a small mistake caused by fatigue or restricted movement could lead to a crash, making race management crucial.
Marquez also revealed that the hot conditions during the Sprint increased the physical demands, with stiffness becoming more noticeable as the laps progressed. He said managing those limitations will be one of the key challenges heading into the Grand Prix.
The Spaniard credited his victory to a clear race plan. After spending Friday conserving energy, he switched into what he described as "super sport mode" on Saturday, attacking hard in the opening laps to build a comfortable advantage before managing the gap to Pedro Acosta for the remainder of the race.
"The strategy was clear. Yesterday I was in eco mode, today in super sport mode, and tomorrow I need to be in sport mode," he explained.
With the Sprint win secured, Marquez has gained further confidence in his recovery, but remains cautious about the demands of a full Grand Prix distance. His pace at Balaton Park suggests he can fight at the front, yet the biggest question remains whether his body can sustain that level over a longer race.
