Never so far from the top after 4 GPs
The introduction of Sprint races starting from the 2023 season has inevitably changed the dynamics of MotoGP and the standings, and now gaps that once seemed insurmountable have become much more recoverable, but – regardless of Saturday’s short races – there is a statistical fact concerning Marc Marquez at the start of this season that makes one reflect: the reigning world champion after four rounds is 44 points behind Marco Bezzecchi and the top of the World Championship. Never in seasons where he had not missed races due to injury had the #93 accumulated such a large gap at this point in the championship.
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The only other two precedents in which Marquez had accumulated at least a 10-point gap from the leader after four rounds were 2024 (32 points) and 2015 (26 points). These remain to date the only two MotoGP championships entirely contested by Marc Marquez and not won.
The ghosts of 2015 and the ‘salvation’ of the Sprints
Precisely the infamous season 11 years ago is the one that most closely resembles this one, with Marquez considered the clear favourite on the eve, but who instead made errors and crashes that gradually made him lose contact with the challenge for the championship. Naturally, the season is still long and everything can change, but complicating the assumption is now also the extremely precarious physical condition of the Ducati rider, as also highlighted by some of his rivals.
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Paradoxically, it is precisely the results of the Sprints – two victories and a second place in four races – that are keeping Marquez afloat. Considering only the results of Sunday’s Grand Prix races, the nine-time world champion would even be eighth in the championship, 71 points behind Marco Bezzecchi. In short, even in this period of crisis, blessed Sprints.
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