The image of Marc Marquez as an invincible force in MotoGP once felt unshakable. Wins came naturally, championships stacked up, and his riding style redefined what was possible on two wheels. But behind the scenes, the reality during his final years at Honda was far removed from the glory that defined the first half of his career. Those difficult moments have now been revisited by his former crew chief Santi Hernandez, who has spoken candidly about what he describes as true rock bottom periods for the multiple time world champion.
According to Hernandez, the struggles were not limited to lap times or results. Injuries had already taken a heavy toll on Marquez’s body, particularly his right arm, but the deeper challenge was mental. For the first time, Marquez found himself questioning not just the bike or his physical condition but his own future in the sport. Crashes became frequent, confidence slipped away, and circuits where he once dominated turned into scenes of frustration and disbelief. The Sachsenring weekend in particular stood out as a painful symbol of how far things had fallen, with repeated crashes and an overwhelming sense that nothing was working anymore.
What made this phase especially brutal was the absence of clear answers. After multiple surgeries and long recoveries, Marquez could no longer rely on injury as an explanation for his lack of performance. Hernandez recalls moments where doubts crept in, where Marquez openly wondered whether his best days were behind him and whether continuing was worth the physical and emotional cost. For a rider who had always believed he could ride around problems, the realization that sheer talent and bravery were no longer enough was deeply unsettling.
The relationship between rider and crew chief during this period was built on honesty. Hernandez has admitted that one of the hardest conversations of his career was telling Marquez that leaving Honda might be the only way to save his career. It was not a rejection of loyalty but an acknowledgment that the project they had built together could no longer give Marquez what he needed. That advice, delivered during the lowest point, ultimately became the turning point that led to a dramatic change in direction.
Looking back now, those rock bottom moments carry a different weight. They are no longer just memories of pain and doubt but proof of how close Marquez came to walking away from MotoGP entirely. The fact that he chose to fight on, change teams, and rebuild himself from scratch has only added depth to his legacy. Hernandez’s reflections strip away the myth of constant dominance and reveal the human cost behind one of motorsport’s greatest comebacks.
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