Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) in a duel with his LCR Idemitsu brand colleague Takaaki Nakagami – the 2019 world champion is one of the vehement critics of the controversial starter device and, as we think, not without justification.

Criticism of the 6-time world champion on the start device is thrown out

If Marc Marquez publicly criticizes a technical innovation, this has a different weight than if it came from Tech 3 KTM latecomer Iker Lecuona, for example. The young Spaniard is already in the ejection seat and Remy Gardner already has the MotoGP KTM contract in his pocket. Make a lot more fuss, however, when the most successful driver of the last decade questions an actually very questionable technology gag. The 6-time world champion recently questioned the so-called “holeshot devices” of MotoGP and condemned this new development with all severity. He left no doubt that if it were up to him, some of his colleagues’ controversial star devices should be banned from his point of view.

Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) hatte In Le Mans, despite his “holeshot device”, he got off to a miserable start at his home race and was in the company of drivers for a long time, some of whom should not make it into the top ten. However, with his sensational race to catch up, the fast man from Cannes drove away from everyone and in the end up to second place.

The majority of drivers are behind Marquez
Although the majority of the drivers were against using it during the race, Marquez and his “allies” failed to get rid of this technical innovation. After the WorldSBK race in Losail in 2019, we once pointed out with a series of photos how extreme the differences were between the 6-time world champion Jonathan Rea at the start and his opponents. It is quite interesting that with a driver who has won an equally high number of titles in the premier class, a critic of such innovations has appeared. The discussion about it makes perfect sense because on the one hand it is about safety and on the other hand it is about whether the drivers should at some point only be passengers on their machines.

Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo) in his winning wheelie at the finish of the French Grand Prix at the Bugatti circuit. It is undisputed that his holeshot device played a major role in his two victories at Jerez and Le Mans. In both cases the Australian had a perfect start and thus a clear advantage in the further course of the race.

Those responsible gave Marquez a rejection
But the technical regulations determine the six manufacturers in the MSMA (Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers’ Association). You will work on the body of rules, which will then be submitted to the so-called Grand Prix Commission. There are also representatives from FIM, Dorna and the team association IRTA. The MSMA would have to vote unanimously in favour of a ban on holeshot devices, which Ducati will of course never allow. As so often in the past, something may have to happen first before measures are taken that are in the interests of the majority of drivers.

The duel between Fabio Quartararo (Monster Endergy Yamaha) and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo) – we can only hope that at some point the idea of Marc Marquez and the many like-minded people will prevail and in the fight for victory as before, only for them Quality of the driver goes.

>Mugello preview: see separate report on this page.

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