Marc Marquez images stun as future MotoGP rival makes feelings clear
Marquez has shown just how serious his shoulder injury is (Credit: Apex Agency)
10:30, 07 Sep
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Marc Marquez’s gruesome shoulder injury photos have prompted a reaction from WorldSBK championship leader Nicolo Bulega.
Bulega is likely to be racing against Marquez next season with Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing and will be taking on a MotoGP rider who continues to inspire awe.
The nine-time champion recently uploaded a number of training photos, with one showing the damage to his right shoulder from a dislocation and surgery, almost resembling a shark bite.
One of the surgeons has since spoken out on the shocking images, saying Marquez is riding on ‘one-and-a-half arms’ and that he will ‘never be back to normal’.
Bulega, who is well on his way to the World Superbike title with a staggering 25 wins from 27, spoke about his fellow Ducati rider after his latest triple win in France.
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Bulega amazed by Marquez despite severe shoulder damage
“Perhaps only Marquez could do what he’s doing with one and a half arms,” the Rossi prodigy said.
“You can’t imagine how difficult it is to ride a motorcycle. Sometimes people ask you, ‘Why do you go to the gym if you don’t do anything but ride a motorcycle? It’s the bike that carries you,’ but it’s a very, very difficult sport.”
Bulega has two MotoGP appearances to his name after struggling to impress in Moto2 and Moto3, but he also has plenty of experience on next season’s new era of motorcycles.
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The 26-year-old has tested the 850cc MotoGP Ducati for the new era of regulations and new Pirelli tyres, and again flattered Marquez when talking about the difference in machinery.
Bulega has dominated WorldSBK and will likely swap to MotoGP next season (Credit: Apex Agency)
Bulega already preparing for MotoGP’s new era
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“They’ll be Pirelli tyres, but not the Superbike ones,” he said. “It might be easier to understand the feel of the front tyre than with the Michelins, since the tyre’s DNA is similar.
“But the riding style is different from Superbike, as is the bike. So, with slightly different tyres and a completely different bike, it won’t feel much like riding a current Superbike.
“However, the experience here can help in some aspects, such as with the tyres, not the bike itself, which will have more or less the same chassis as this year.
“Having done the testing will help at the beginning, but MotoGP riders are incredible, and I think a guy like Marquez won't need much time to understand a bike that is more or less the same, but with different tyres.”
Bulega could wrap up the riders’ title next time out in Italy at the Cremona Circuit from September 25 to 27.
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Bulega closes in on WorldSBK title in Italy
The Italian is taking things as they come, though, explaining: "I'm not any more relaxed knowing I can't win it here. My approach to race weekends has never changed.
“I always try to win the races because for me, winning is very important. It’s my goal for the weekend.
“If I were to win the title in Cremona, it would be fantastic, because we’re in Italy, I’m Italian, and I race with Ducati.”
The 26-year-old now has 44 wins overall in WorldSBK, putting him sixth overall in the list of winners, ahead of the great Noriyuki Haga.
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“It's fantastic to see my name next to those of great riders like Haga,” he commented. "This is only my third year in Superbike, and to already see my name alongside theirs is a dream.”
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