Sealing Czech GP win "the longest six laps of the year," says Marc Marquez

Marc Marquez described the physical and tactical strain of keeping Ai Ogura behind him to win the Czech Grand Prix at Brno on Sunday, calling the final run “the longest six laps of the year.” After winning on a scorched day and appearing visibly drained, he accelerated late, taking the lead from teammate Francesco Bagnaia on lap 16 of 21. Marquez said he saw on screens that Ogura was trying to overtake, so he pushed at Turn 1, Turn 3 and attacked again at Turn 4, defending briefly before building a small gap. Ogura moved into second on lap 17, and Trackhouse Aprilia maintained pressure until the finish, forcing a difficult moment in the penultimate corner. Marquez attributed a critical slide to an error at the previous corner and said he had “zero confidence” with Ogura behind. He won by less than half a second and noted limited fitness.