---
title: "Marquez Owns Up: 'I'm Going Slower'"
description: "Nine-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez candidly attributes his recent struggles to his own performance, not the bike, after a disappointing French Grand Prix practice. His admission raises questions about his future dominance."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/marc-marquez-it-s-not-that-the-others-are-going-faster-it-moxca8hj
published: 2026-05-08T17:42:05+00:00
updated: 2026-05-08T23:25:49.52+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["motogp"]
---

# Marquez Owns Up: 'I'm Going Slower'

> Nine-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez candidly attributes his recent struggles to his own performance, not the bike, after a disappointing French Grand Prix practice. His admission raises questions about his future dominance.

Nine-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has openly declared his recent struggles stem from his own performance, not the machinery beneath him.

This candid admission followed a disappointing practice session at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, where the Spanish rider failed to qualify directly into Q2, marking another low point in his 2026 season.

Marquez's self-assessment cuts through the usual rider rhetoric, directly confronting a stark contrast to his historically dominant presence in the sport.

His statement, "I'm going slower," strips away any external blame, placing the onus squarely on his own current capabilities rather than the competitive field or bike setup.

This introspective take from a rider once considered invincible forces a re-evaluation of his trajectory.

It highlights the brutal reality even for decorated athletes facing a slump, raising significant questions about his future competitiveness and capacity to reclaim the top step against a rising tide of younger, hungry rivals.

His legacy, once defined by relentless victory, now grapples with the narrative of personal decline.

What's next: The MotoGP paddock will keenly watch how Marquez translates this self-awareness into tangible performance improvements in upcoming races.

## Why this matters

Marc Marquez's unflinching honesty about his performance dip resonates beyond the racetrack. It underscores a universal truth in elite sports: even the most decorated champions confront the relentless march of time and the personal challenge of sustaining peak form. His struggles force a critical look at the human element in a high-tech sport, where raw talent and mental fortitude eventually clash with the realities of age, injury, or simply a loss of edge. For fans and competitors alike, Marquez's current predicament serves as a potent reminder that dominance is fleeting, and the journey to reclaim it, if possible, is often more compelling than the victories themselves. This narrative shapes not just his future, but the very definition of a champion's legacy.

## Frequently asked

### What did Marc Marquez say about his performance?

Marquez stated his struggles are due to his own riding, not the bike. He explicitly noted, "It's not that the others are going faster, it's that I'm going slower," acknowledging a personal dip in form.

### Where did Marquez make these comments?

He spoke after a disappointing practice session at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans. This session saw him fail to secure a direct qualification into Q2, highlighting his ongoing challenges in the 2026 season.

### What does "failed to qualify directly into Q2" signify?

In MotoGP, Q2 is the final qualifying session for the top grid positions. Failing to qualify directly means Marquez must compete in Q1, an additional session, to earn a spot in Q2, indicating a significant performance shortfall.

### How do these struggles impact Marquez's legacy?

His current performance dip challenges his long-held image as an invincible champion. It introduces a narrative of personal struggle and raises questions about his ability to return to his former dominance, potentially reshaping how his career is viewed.

## Sources & Citations

- [Marc Marquez: 'It's not that the others are going faster, it's that I'm going slower'](https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/marc-marquez-its-not-that-the-others-are-going-faster-its-that-im-going-slower/10819238/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=RSS-ALL&utm_term=News&utm_content=www) — Motorsport.com (2026-05-08)

---

Cite: Marquez Owns Up: 'I'm Going Slower'. Sportopod, 2026-05-08. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/marc-marquez-it-s-not-that-the-others-are-going-faster-it-moxca8hj