2021 would have been a pretty grim year for the Rossi fans if it wasn’t for the rather unsuccessful return of Marc Marquez.
The Spanish anti-Christ gave the Honda fanboys a reason to weasel back on to the internet forums when he returned in Portugal and started topping the timesheets in free practice. But sadly that’s where the king’s claim to the throne seemed to end.
Marc has not lost at the Sausagering since 2009. To put that into some perspective: it was so long ago that Rossi was a genuine title threat and Loris Capirossi was still in short trousers. But this year hasn’t been like any previous year for the multiple world champion. So can he do it? Can he win his first race since his horror crash?
Yes he can
One big benefit is that the German circuit runs anti-clockwise. Most tracks run clockwise but the Sausagering was designed primarily to help Kurt Knispel train new Panzerkampfwagen drivers to take tight left-hand turns to aid them with the tricky roundabouts they’d encounter when invading Great Britain.
The benefit to Marquez is that left-hand turns, especially tight ones, give his shoulder less stress and therefore shouldn’t be much of a problem. Better still this should aid his fatigue level and allow him to complete a full race before collapsing in a gravel pit.
No he can’t
2021 has failed to deliver on many fronts. Top of Honda’s fail list though are the Marquez brothers. Ralf Schumarquez has struggled with his bike like it’s a vegan option at a buffet. Marc, meanwhile, unlike his brother has had flashes of brilliance but can’t make it last a race.
In the old days Marc would ‘almost’ fall off every other corner. He’s save the bike with his elbow, his knee, his spleen or some other crazy body part to awe of everyone watching…even if they didn’t admit it. But this year those saves haven’t been saved and he’s ended up falling off like a Crutchlow-Checa hybrid.
Furthermore the elder Marquez just hasn’t had the speed since his return. And maybe all the left-hand corners in the world won’t help that?
What do you think?