Mick Doohan: Marc Marquez still has a long road ahead

The official Australian Grand Prix podcast In the Fast Lane has released its latest episode, featuring five-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan.

Doohan joined In the Fast Lane co-hosts Matt Clayton and Chris Vermeulen to assess the 2021 season and discuss whether Marc Marquez has what it takes to challenge for another world title.

Marquez is currently seventh in the MotoGP™ standings. During the 2021 season, he has shown flashes of brilliance, but Doohan believes the 28-year-old is still on the road to recovery following his 2020 crash in Spain.

“I think really he’s (Marquez) not fit at the moment. The bike I think has gone off track a little as well, the Honda is clearly not the bike it once was… Marc is only just starting to get some physical strength in his right arm, so I think that’s been the problem,” said Doohan.

“The sport never waits for anybody, he (Marquez) was out for a long while and the riders, they are performing week in and week out,” he continued.

Despite the challenges Marquez still faces, the Australian motorcycle legend is confident he has what it takes to return to form.

“He (Marquez) clearly knows how to ride, but he’s just not capable of riding the way he was. But with the talent like he has and if Honda can get the bike back to be somewhat consistent, he may need to smoothen out a little bit, but I think he’s certainly got the credentials to be able to challenge for another world title,” said Doohan.

The podcast is available on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts platforms.