Admittedly, I'm Still Far From The Best Physical Conditions Despite Road Comeback In Aragon, Marquez : Road Still Long

Marc Marquez (Insanggram @marcmarquez93)

JAKARTA - Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez returned to competition this weekend at the Aragon Grand Prix but admits he is still far from his best physical condition.

Having a broken right arm during the 2020 Spanish GP and having undergone three operations, Marquez decided to take a break from the competition for recovery after the Italian GP in Mugello last May.

After undergoing the fourth operation in the United States, the Spaniard took a competition break to continue his recovery before being declared fit to ride a MotoGP motorcycle at a Misano test last week.

Following a number of examinations, consultations and satisfactory tests, Marquez will now undergo the next stage of his rehabilitation, which is to return to the competition when the MotoGP circus arrives in Aragon, Spain.

"I didn't expect to be here in Aragon to race this year, but things were going pretty well from the start, from surgery, and step by step, I felt better," Marquez said at a pre-race press conference session in Aragon, quoted by Antara, Friday.

"Obviously, the road is still long. The target I want to achieve, I still have a lot to improve on."

In addition to helping the development of Honda motorcycles, the test at Misano was also part of the Repsol Honda team to build Marquez's fitness and get used to him getting back on the MotoGP machine.

"After I completed the test, my physical condition was good. We analyzed my recovery with my arm over the next few days and we understood that there might be a number of opportunities to be in Aragon and we have discussed that with the doctors," Marquez said.

Marquez's return to the competition became a breath of fresh air amid the dominance of Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia, who appeared dominant with four consecutive wins towards Aragon.

Marquez, who was the most successful driver in Aragon with five premier class wins there, was involved in a fierce battle with Bagnaia until the final lap on the Spanish circuit last year despite having to settle for finishing runners-up.

When asked about his chances of challenging the podium in Aragon, Marquez replied, "I had a chance of one percent. Very low."

"First, is because I am very far from my best physical condition. The bones have recovered, that's the most important thing, but the condition of the muscles is still very far from what I want."

"Secondly, Honda is currently in a difficult time, and we are far behind other manufacturers, so my target is to try to finish every weekend starting from now on."

Marquez will have a busy three weeks as Aragon became the start of the triple headers before Japan and Thailand.