Marc Marquez appears to hit back at Aleix Espargaro comments - 'If you talk bull****, next race it can happen to you'

ByTNT Sports

Updated 12/05/2023 at 12:13 GMT+1

Marc Marquez is back for Le Mans. The Honda racer crashed into Miguel Oliveira in the first race of the season in Portimao on March 26. As a result, he missed his home race at the Spanish GP as well as the Argentina GP and Americas GP. Marquez has appeared to respond to Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro who called for the six-time world champion to be handed a one-race ban.

Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez attends a press conference ahead of the 1000th Moto GP Grand Prix, in Le Mans

Image credit: Getty Images

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez appeared to hit back at criticism from Aleix Espargaro and says mistakes happen if you ride "at the front" for "15 years".

Espargaro demanded a one-race ban for Marquez after his crash into Miguel Oliveira at the Portuguese MotoGP and that he should be called out for being involved more frequently in similar incidents.

Marquez has returned from a hand injury to race at this weekend's French MotoGP. He appeared to react to Espargaro's comments in the race weekend press conference.

Grand Prix France

Kalex chassis ‘a small help’ but 'not the solution’ - Marquez

15/05/2023 at 16:25

"If you talk bulls*** about a rider, then in the next race it can happen to you," he said.

"Nobody crashes because they want to crash into another one, nobody attacks without thinking.

"But we ride on the limit and sometimes we make mistakes.

"Sometimes you make a mistake alone, sometimes a mistake and somebody is outside the line.

"There are different situations. In 15 years, there will be situations.

"If you ride at the limit and at the front, you will have different situations. So, of course, everybody wants to finish the race and be on the podium.

"Nobody wants to be injured. We cannot choose. I received a penalty but I did the penalty at the Argentina GP, this is what I wrote on the paper."

After initially calling for Marquez to be given a one-race ban, Espargaro has maintained his stance.

“It is not to be critical of Marc but to be honest and face it," he told AS earlier this month.

"How many touches has Marc had and how many have the other 20 riders combined?

“If it can happen to anyone? Yes, but how many times has it happened to him and how many to me or Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia]?”

Grand Prix France

Laverty: Blame 'slightly' on Bagnaia for crash with Vinales at French MotoGP

14/05/2023 at 17:10

Grand Prix France

Bezzecchi claims French MotoGP victory after Marquez comeback ends in disappointment

14/05/2023 at 14:56

Grand Prix France

Marquez denied dream return as Bagnaia snatches French GP pole at the death

13/05/2023 at 11:38