Marc Marquez wins Mandalika MotoGP Sprint despite traction issues

Marquez pointing the finger at himself rather than the bike is the kind of self-awareness that separates elite riders from the rest — it also tells you he's working the problem rather than managing excuses. The fact that he then went out and won the Sprint suggests the diagnosis was correct and the adjustment, however small, was enough. Sixth in the main race with traction still unresolved is a points haul most riders would accept from a difficult weekend. What this really signals is that Marquez's relationship with the Ducati is still being calibrated, and he's doing that calibration the hard way, in race conditions.