Márquez (Crash): «Didn’t know it was Pecco» / MotoGP

The spectacular crash of Pecco Bagnaia and Alex Márquez was the big surprise of the MotoGP weekend in Aragon. The brother of the GP winner was not happy about the incident – but did not see any fault on his part either.

Gresini rider Alex Márquez set a high pace during the Aragon GP. He defended third place for a long time behind his brother and Jorge Martin. But six laps before the end of the race, disaster struck – especially for Francesco Bagnaia. After a collision between the Ducati riders in turn 13, both Desmosedici flew off the track. Bagnaia, trapped under his bike, was very lucky to survive the crash with only minor injuries. Alex Márquez also escaped with a few scratches.

And who was responsible for Bagnaia's disastrous failure? Both drivers had to appear before the race director after a separate hearing. After a detailed analysis of the accident, to the surprise of many, no penalty was imposed on Alex Márquez. From the spectators' perspective, it was the Spaniard who hit the Italian from behind and knocked him off course.

But the accused was able to make himself credible: “The fact is, I came a little too far to the outside in turn 12 and therefore I was on a slightly different line when approaching turn 13.” But it is also a fact that I never saw Pecco, but only when we touched and it was too late to avoid the fall.”

Márquez continued: “Of course I'm sorry, for both of us.” It's a shame that neither of us could finish the race. But I still don't think I did anything wrong. I didn't ride aggressively or far from the line. If I had already been off the track, it would have been different. In that case, I would have had to check whether anyone was coming from outside – but like this – no. Pecco had already decided to approach the corner from the outside and pass me there, but I couldn't see him doing it.”

As an interesting footnote, the Gresini rider added: “By the way, I didn't know it was Pecco. I had no information from my team about who was behind me. I'm only saying this because some people might think that my behaviour is influencing the battle for the world championship. It could have been anyone, but it was Pecco, whom I didn't see.”

When asked whether the two fallen racers had already spoken, the Spaniard said: “The discussions with the stewards were separate and I also think it makes sense while the heads are still hot. I spoke to Ducati directly and I will also speak to Pecco calmly, but privately.”

The incident meant that the Gresini team missed out on the second double Márquez podium of the year. While Marc celebrated the double victory, a crumpled Alex Márquez left the stage with a fourth place in the sprint.

Results MotoGP Aragon, Grand Prix (1 September):

1. Marc Márquez (E), Ducati, 23 laps in 41:47.082 min
2. Jorge Martín (E), Ducati, +4,789 sec
3. Pedro Acosta (E), KTM, +14,904
4. Brad Binder (ZA), KTM, +16,459
5. Enea Bastianini (I), Ducati, +18,776
6. Franco Morbidelli (I), Ducati, +20,549
7. Marco Bezzecchi (I), Ducati, +24,759
8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (I), Ducati, +37,159
9. Alex Rins (E), Yamaha, +39,420
10. Jack Miller (AUS), KTM, +39.966
11. Aleix Espargaró (E), Aprilia, +40,602
12. Takaaki Nakagami (J), Honda, +41,782
13. Augusto Fernández (E), KTM, +42,083
14. Johann Zarco (F), Honda, +43.264
15. Joan Mir (E), Honda, +49.735
16. Raúl Fernández (E), Aprilia, +57,322
17. Luca Marini (I), Honda, +1:52.386 mins
– Alex Márquez (E), Ducati, 6 laps back
– Francesco Bagnaia (I), Ducati, 6 laps back
– Maverick Viñales (E), Aprilia, 13 laps back
– Fabio Quartararo (F), Yamaha, 17 laps back
– Miguel Oliveira (P), Aprilia, 23 laps back

Results MotoGP Aragon, Sprint (31 August):

1. Marc Márquez (E), Ducati, 11 laps in 19:50.034 mins
2. Jorge Martín (E), Ducati, +2,961 seconds
3. Pedro Acosta (E), KTM, +6,694
4. Alex Márquez (E), Ducati, +9,950
5. Miguel Oliveira (P), Aprilia, +11,749
6. Brad Binder (ZA), KTM, +14,144
7. Enea Bastianini (I), Ducati, +14,291
8. Fabio Quartararo (F), Yamaha, +18,836
9. Francesco Bagnaia (I), Ducati, +20,298
10. Marco Bezzecchi (I), Ducati, +20,448
11. Raúl Fernández (E), Aprilia, +20,678
12. Augusto Fernández (E), KTM, +21,429
13. Jack Miller (AUS), KTM, +22.110
14. Takaaki Nakagami (J), Honda, +22,440
15. Antonio Di Giannantonio (I), Ducati, +23,468
16. Luca Marini (I), Honda, +26,822
17. Alex Rins (E), Yamaha, +26.910
18. Joan Mir (E), Honda, +31.147
19. Maverick Viñales (E), Aprilia, +37,642
– Franco Morbidelli (I), Ducati, 10 laps back
– Johann Zarco (F), Honda, 11 laps back
– Aleix Espargaró (E), Aprilia, 11 laps back

World Championship standings after 24 of 40 races:

1. Martin, 299 points. 2. Bagnaia 276. 3. Marc Marquez 229. 4. Bastianini 228. 5. Acosta 148. 6. Binder 145. 7. Vinales 139. 8. Aleix Espargaro 118. 9. Di Giannantonio 112. 10. Alex Márquez 104. 11. Morbidelli 83 2. Bezz ecchi 82. 13. Oliveira 60. 14. Miller 50. 15. Quartararo 51. 16. Raul Fernandez 46. 17. Augusto Fernandez 19. 18. Nakagami 17. 19. Zarco 16. 20. Rins 15. 21. Mir 14. 22. Pedrosa 7. 23. Pol Espargaro 6. 24. Marini 1.

Constructors’ World Championship:
1. Ducati, 426 points. 2. Aprilia 219. 3. KTM 217. 4. Yamaha 62. 5. Honda 33.

Team World Championship:
1. Ducati Lenovo Team, 504 points. 2. Prima Pramac Racing 382. 3. Gresini Racing MotoGP 333. 4. Aprilia Racing 258. 5. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team 194. 6. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 193. 7. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 168. 8. Trackhouse Racing 106. 9. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 66. 10. LCR Honda 35. 11. Repsol Honda 16.

Welcome to the race at Motorland Aragón