Neil Morrison: Marc Marquez – Time to panic?

There are several ways to distinguish Marc Marquez in a mood. That stare at whoever is speaking tends to be just that little more intense. The smile tends to be that little narrower, and less convincing. And rather than reflecting, opening up, detailing in his answers, his responses come in rapid, short statements.

All of these traits were very much in evidence as he spoke to the press after a whirlwind weekend in Austin. Even by the nine-time World Champion’s standards, this GP stood out. A crash at close to 120mph on Friday morning left him feeling “pain all over.” He was both baulked and baulked Bezzecchi and Bastianini respectively in qualifying. He took down Fabio Di Giannantonio just twelve turns into the Sprint. And he fought back from a Long Lap Penalty and eleventh to finish fifth on Sunday.