If Marc Marquez’ opponents can’t stop him, maybe he will put an end to his perfect season (8 wins in 8 starts) himself. Suffering a huge highside crash (pictures courtesy of Marquez’ Twitter feed) in practice for Sunday’s race at the Sachsenring, Marquez has apparently escaped with only minor consequences, including a sore neck. He got back on his bike and is second quickest following the completion of Free Practice 2.
Crashing is part of the sport he is in and being young with what Colin calls “fresh balls”, he is willing to push it and has to if he is going to win 9 in a row so far. You don’t get that record without pushing it and he does it better than anyone.
It would be nice to have nice easy low-sides, but screaming at 15k around a corner and accidently tagging the shifter down a gear will cause this everytime… 🙂
I do agree that some form of neck protection should be designed and made available. I know there is currently a few products, so it’s up to the riders to try it or use it. Doesn’t always take a drop from the sky like this… you could slide into a soft barrier and still twist your neck just a little bit to far.
True warriors these guys!!!
Wow, didn’t stop him from making the rest of the field look like rookies during the race. Well, I guess PD kept him in sight anyway…
oops, he did it again. (Briteny sings)
Marc Marquez, pole position, beating Stoner’s lap record that stood since 2008…
1m 20.937s.
and in WSBK news (HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN THE STATES UNDER OUR NOSES)…
sykes and his “kawazaki” annihilates pole with a 1:21.811s.
the nearest challenger at the Dry Lagoon…?
1.22.338s.
yes, its a double-header weekend. set your DVR’s for “stun”.
He is young but he is not indestructible. Someone needs to sit the lad down for a talk. Crashes like that … in practice, no less … can be career enders.
What would the talk be about? Motorcycling in general and racing at the absolutely highest level where you have to ride 100% all the time is extremely dangerous? I’m sure Marquez is aware of that…
good grief…how many more races in this championship left before he can just vacation for the rest the season and still win?
If you are serious, he has approx 75 point lead over Rossi/Pedrosa who are tied for second. A win awards 25 points. There are 9 races left in the season. So his lead is absolutely safe for about 3 races if he were to have to retire from the series tomorrow.
And that is why I wear a Leatt STX-RR neck brace at my track days…I don’t want to risk not being able to walk after something like this
THIS^^^ “cause that HURTS!!
That helps your neck, what about the other ~2ft of your spine?;-)
That’s just unreal anyone’s neck can endure that.
He’ll be feeling it tomorrow and certainly at the end of the race.
Looks like he’s lucky he didn’t hit his bike on the way down! It was only Friday. We’ll see how his neck is Sunday.
Ugly pictures! It reminds me a bit too much of Wayne Rainey’s accident.
On these million dollar machines with irreplaceable riders where are the leathers that sprout airbags? I only see his neck “breaking” his fall =(
-mt
Some, or most leathers DO have airbag technology, with controllers stuffed in the back humps… but the bags only inflate to an extra inch or two between the leathers and the rider. But every inch counts in crashes like those!
There are some aftermarket airbag systems you can buy (around $500-600 i have seen) that you can buy that inflate around your neck, but they aren’t what the pro’s wear. I think they have other back/neck protection systems in their suits..
Look for the blinking LED status lights on the riders sleeves. Almost all of the GP riders have the airbag suits now.
“where are the leathers that sprout airbags?” Marquez is wearing on on those pictures. Google his 2013 Mugello crash for details. Airbag suits aren’t omnipotent.
Glad to see it was no major injury, this kid is invencible this season….and last one too 🙂
hes young enough to bounce back
That kid sure does manage to walk away (fortunately) from a lot of stuff. Glad he is OK. That was a nasty one.
Yep, it’s amazing how he always manages to avoid injury when he crashes hard. He never even breaks a hand, wrist, or collarbone. Of course these things are nothing but pure luck, and no one will ever turn down the gift of good fortune.
Huh? He did break his collarbone during the 2013 season and his leg in the off-season.
the upside down/inverted freeze frame, its not just for breakfast (or Lorenzo) anymore.
The soreness reaches a peak at t+ 2 days. Wonder if it will slow him down… I think Rossi has a chance here! Well obviously I can’t wait for the race!
re: “The soreness reaches a peak at t+ 2 days.”
no worries, Aleve reaches it’s peak in T- 30 minutes.
Look mom, I can fly.
Glad the kid is alright. Seems indestructible. Guess I was too at 21 years old. Pedrosa has a big get off too.
Rossi is salivating, but the Espararo bros are running a little faster at this point.
Can’t wait for qualifying. My guess… Marquez, Pedrosa, Lorenzo, Rossi the rest