MotoGP: Marc Marquez gives blunt one-word answer when asked asked about a Grand Prix Netherlands win

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Ducati Lenovo rider Marc Marquez was sixth at the Sprint race of Grand Prix Netherlands on Saturday after his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia was penalised for going off track limits. He gave a very brief answer when asked if he would be able to overhaul the dominant Aprilia riders on Sunday.

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Marquez finished seventh in Saturday’s Sprint race, but had his final position upgraded to sixth spot after his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia was penalised.

Bagnaia went off track limits on the final lap as he looked to challenge Aprilia’s Jorge Martin for fifth spot.

Because Bagnaia was less than half a second ahead of Marquez at the time, MotoGP regulations dictated that he was penalised by giving up a place, despite appearing to gain little if any advantage from the manoeuvre.

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Marquez has improved his form in the current season after struggling last year.

Aprilia dominated the race on Saturday, with a Trackhouse one-two led by Raul Fernandez, and his team-mate Ai Ogura behind him.

Third place on the podium went to VR46 Pertamina rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, who has been the best performing Ducati rider of all six bikes from the manufacturer this season.

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After Saturday's Sprint, Bezzecchi is top with 186 points, nine clear of Martin, while Di Giannantonio is on 164 as he remains a credible title challenger.

Behind him is Marquez on 144. He has won both of the last two full-length races to start cutting the gap at the top after a return to fitness following an operation to fix a broken screw in his shoulder which was impinging his radial nerve.

Both factory Ducati riders are well off the pace in Assen, with the track suiting the Aprilias. Despite Marquez’s ability to compete when he is not on the best overall bike, he does not think he has a chance of reeling in the riders ahead of him.

Asked if he could overturn the deficit in the full-length race on Sunday, shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, he said: "Er… no!"

"So, just try to do our best," he added, in quotes reported by crash.net.

"Yesterday we finished, I would say, in seventh place.”

Marquez also gave his thoughts on the penalty issued to his team-mate Bagnaia, and suggested that the penalty was harsh considering the transgression was relatively minor, and had given him no advantage.

Despite that, Marquez gained a place, meaning an extra point for him as he battles to retain the MotoGP world championship after landing his seventh title in the format last season.

"Just Pecco touched the green for one centimetre [and had to drop one position]. Of course, rules are rules, but he didn't gain anything.

"But let's see."

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