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| Marc Marquez Reveals Launch Control Mishap That Nearly Ruined His Sprint at the Italian MotoGP. |
Marc Marquez didn’t hold back when talking about what really happened at the start of the Italian MotoGP Sprint Race at Mugello. Despite grabbing his 100th career pole position in the morning, the Ducati star almost threw it all away just seconds into the race due to a miscommunication—with his own bike.
So, here’s what went down. Marc admitted there was a major misunderstanding with his launch control system while heading to the grid. “At first, I thought launch control was on,” he told motogp.com. “But I didn’t read the screen properly, and it had switched off.”
As the lights came on, Marc revved his engine and then noticed the issue. In a rush, he reached across with his right hand to hit the button and reactivate the system—just as the race was about to start.
That tiny mistake dropped him back close to 10th place as he went into Turn 1. But in true Marquez fashion, he stayed calm and began picking off riders. By Lap 4, he had fought his way into the lead.
“Honestly, it was a big mistake. But luckily, I was in the right position through those first three corners, right behind Pecco and Alex,” Marc said.
Despite the rocky start, Marquez still managed to win the sprint race by 1.4 seconds, extending his championship lead to 35 points ahead of Sunday’s main event.
Eyes on the Long Race: Tire Strategy and Tough Rivals
Looking ahead to the full-distance Grand Prix, Marquez knows things won’t be easy. His brother Alex Marquez and teammate Pecco Bagnaia are expected to be stronger, especially with rising track temperatures.
“Normally on this track, I feel better when I’m following someone,” Marc explained. “And today, I actually felt great behind them—maybe even better than riding alone. Still, my solo pace in the morning was pretty solid.”
Marc highlighted tire strategy as a key factor for Sunday. The soft rear tire might offer more grip, but with track temps expected to hit 45–50°C (113–122°F), that grip could disappear fast.
“First priority is to avoid making the same mistake at the start,” he said. “Then, just manage the race and tire wear. Honestly, our goal for this weekend was to defend, not lose too many points. But we’ve actually gained some—which is a great sign.”
Marc Marquez proved once again why he's still one of the most exciting riders in MotoGP. Despite a launch control error that could’ve cost him the race, he bounced back with skill, patience, and racecraft.
As the main race looms, all eyes will be on how Marc handles the heat, manages his tires, and battles it out with Pecco and Alex. One thing’s for sure—in MotoGP, even the smallest mistakes can lead to big drama… unless you’re Marc Marquez.
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