The Barcelona Grand Prix provided a weekend full of twists, turns and challenges for many MotoGP riders, including Marc Marquez. The Spanish ace, in his first season with Gresini Ducati, has already taken four wins and several podiums, but the cooler conditions of the Circuit de Catalunya posed a particular challenge.

Marquez, who finished Friday’s practice with the eighth fastest time, admitted that the Catalan track remains one of the most difficult for him, especially in low-temperature conditions. “It’s not a surprise. Every time I ride here I struggle more than usual. Now I have to work hard to improve and feel better,” he said.

Cooler temperatures made it difficult to find the limit, with unpredictable grip levels further complicating matters. “It’s difficult to know where the limit is. You can lose the front very quickly, and if you push too hard you destroy the tyre,” Marquez added. Despite these difficulties, the rider found positives, improving his performance between FP1 and FP2 and securing a place in Q2.

Marquez was realistic about his chances for the weekend: “The only positive thing today is that we are in Q2 and we have improved. Tomorrow we will try to make another step forward. The goal is to be close to the top five, because getting on the podium will be really difficult.”

Meanwhile, Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia made a strong start to the weekend, finishing first in Friday practice. Bagnaia sits 24 points behind Jorge Martin in the championship standings and said he was focused solely on winning to keep his title hopes alive. “Being first on Friday is positive. We made the right choices and I’m very happy with the work done,” he said. However, Bagnaia stressed the need to further refine his tyre choices for the race.

Bagnaia showed a calmer attitude than in previous title-deciding situations, reflecting on lessons learned from his 2022 championship win. “Being forced to win makes me calmer. It’s the only option, so I focus on that,” he explained.

Another star of the weekend was Aleix Espargaró, who, in his final weekend as a full-time MotoGP rider, took third fastest time in FP2, earning direct access to Q2. Despite the result, Espargaró admitted that he struggled with grip and low temperatures. “With a track at 17 degrees it is really difficult to do a fast lap. This circuit, which I love, has very little grip,” he said.

Espargaró attributed part of his success to his crew chief Antonio Giménez, who encouraged him to use a soft front tyre for his final attack. “I never thought I would use the soft tyre, but it was the right choice,” said Espargaró. He also highlighted Ducati’s clear advantage in rear grip, an area that continues to be a weak point for Aprilia.

Fabio Quartararo also had a difficult start to the Barcelona GP, finishing Friday practice in 14th place. The Frenchman struggled with insufficient grip, a situation made even more complicated by the low track temperatures. “The problem is grip. The traction is so low that it doesn’t make a difference,” Quartararo explained. However, he remains optimistic that track conditions will improve for Saturday’s qualifying.

As the weekend heads into the decisive sessions, each rider is looking to optimise their performance to face the unique challenges of the Circuit de Catalunya. Marquez, Bagnaia, Espargaró and Quartararo represent four very different stories, but all united by the determination to fight until the end.

While Marquez is aiming for a top-five finish to consolidate his championship position, Bagnaia is preparing to give it his all to keep his title hopes alive. Espargaró, meanwhile, is looking to end his career with a memorable performance, while Quartararo hopes to overcome his difficulties and find a competitive rhythm.

The Barcelona GP promises to be one of the most exciting events of the season, with every rider determined to make their mark. It remains to be seen who will triumph in these difficult conditions and write a new chapter in MotoGP history.