Tag: Marc Marquez

After winning his eighth World Championship, Marc Marquez reviews an almost perfect season which saw him take the MotoGP crown for the fourth consecutive year.

Sinking the #8ball on his first attempt, Marc Marquez won his sixth premier class title after a thrilling win at the last corner of the Thai GP. Fresh from his return to Europe, Marc Marquez sat down to discuss the 2019 season at the Campus Repsol in Madrid, Spain.

How do you feel coming home with a new World Championship?

“I arrived in Spain last night and I am very happy to be, not yet in my own house, but in my sporting home, because I have been with Repsol for many years. They have accompanied me throughout my career and I value them a lot. It has been an almost perfect year, but it can always be improved. A dream year where we took the title – which was the main objective – but we are very proud of the way we achieved it. And I speak in the plural, because I am here, but all my team, all the people around me, who help me everyday are missing.”

How was the title celebration?

“The party went well, I’m still getting my voice back! We celebrated the title as it deserves to be celebrated, because it is a World Championship and you never know when this dream is going to end, so you have to celebrate it to the fullest. We spent the night in Bangkok and had a good time with the whole team. I will not give details, but there was dancing, shouting, partying – a little bit of everything. This time there was no karaoke, but it wasn’t necessary.”

How was this season after the shoulder injury?

“It is clear that in the life of an athlete there are hard times and good times, like this one. Complicated situations are what make you strong and this winter was one of the toughest in my career because I couldn’t do what I like most in the world – riding my motorcycle. I could not train, because I needed the operation, but I overcame it with the help of all the people who pushed me. I arrived at the first race, maybe not one hundred percent, but in the best way I could be. You always think that all that work has to have a reward. Once you start and you see the results coming, it gives you even more strength.”

You said it has been an almost perfect year. Why, almost?

“Because when you have an excess of confidence it is when mistakes can arrive. It happened in the race we least expected, which was Austin, where I fell when I was leading with a four second advantage. It was a seemingly done victory and, because of how relaxed I was, I fell. That’s why you always have to be completely focused, you can’t get confused, and you have to learn from mistakes. It has been a very good year, but it does not mean that we can stop working.”

You made your mother suffer a lot by risking the last corner. How did she react?

“Yes! I had already made her quite angry on Friday, because we started the weekend with a big scare. You take the hit, but the people around you suffer much more. Both my mother, my father; the whole family suffers. They have been behind me for many years, they are the base and, when a four-year-old asks for a motorcycle and the father or mother does not give it to him, it is impossible to get here. But logically they have been suffering for many years.”

Agostini has said he believes you can beat his 15 titles. How do you feel about it?

“I get along very well with him and I have heard these statements. I don’t like the word impossible, I will never say it, but it is almost impossible. It means winning double what I have achieved so far. I have never been obsessed with a number or a name – I just enjoy my passion for racing. I feel very lucky that it is my job, where I try to do my best.”

“Honda makes a motorcycle and the rider has to have the ability to adapt. There is a whole technical group behind us, they are human, and it’s with the results of their work that you have to know how to adapt and get the most out of each situation.”

-Marc Marquez, 2019 MotoGP World Champion

You always say that you get where you are thanks to your rivals. How much do you need Fabio Quartararo and a strong Jorge Lorenzo next season?

“The closer, the better! We are in an era in MotoGP in which the mechanical equality, although the final numbers of the championship do not reflect it, is one of the best it has been. I say this because there are four factories capable of winning races and fighting for a World Championship. This means that there are at least eight bikes with chances of winning races, and it is something that did not happen before. You have to know how to reinvent yourself, learn from veterans like Valentino [Rossi], Jorge or Dovi and also from young riders, like Fabio or Viñales.”

What can be improved from this year?

“It has been a very good year and it will be difficult to improve. But one of my idols is Rafa Nadal and when you see him in a match and wonder what he can do better, he always takes a new step forward. Or when Messi scores a goal, you think again that he can’t do better and then he goes and scores another which is better. I try to model myself on them; they are always improving. I will try to learn from mistakes. Rivals show you your level and that is where we will try to continue growing.”

Would it be a dream for you to be Champion alongside your brother again?

“My brother is working hard, putting together a very good year. He is winning with heart, but there are four races left in which he has to show the best of himself, manage the pressure. For my part I will not put more pressure than he already has, just help him to enjoy it, stay as concentrated as possible and push. If you try and then it does not happen, you will have a clear conscience.”

After Friday’s fall, did you think about slowing down? Why did you want to win the title in Thailand?

“I wanted to get the title in Thailand because it was the first match-ball. When you have a certain advantage in the championship, you look for new motivations. I like to live in the present and go race by race. On Thursday before starting the Grand Prix I already said that my intention was to win this weekend, or at least try. Then your rivals tell you if you can or can’t, they give you the answer immediately on track. That’s why I tried until the last corner, because it is more beautiful to achieve the championship with a race win. Across the season you are building and understanding that you can be Champion and you have to look for the motivation to have that euphoria when you cross the finish line.”

What was the turning point of the season where you saw that you could win the title?

“There have been two important moments this year. The first was in Jerez, after Austin’s mistake, when we won in the same way as we intended to win in Austin. There are 25 points, but you show your rivals that your confidence is the same, that the desire and mentality is the same. And the other was in Barcelona. We won the race and several rivals were unable to score. It was a shame, because it was not a mistake of their own, but they were the turning points in this championship.”

Does Honda make a motorcycle for Marc Marquez, or is Marc Marquez the rider who best understands the Honda?

“Honda makes a motorcycle and the rider has to have the ability to adapt. The positive for our team and our structure is that the three riders that have the same motorcycle, Jorge [Lorenzo], Cal [Crutchlow] and I, have the same comments and feedback for evolution. There is a whole technical group behind us, they are human, and it’s with the results of their work that you have to know how to adapt and get the most out of each situation.”

What motivation do you have for the four remaining races?

“The first objective I have in Japan is to try to finish the race, because after being a Champion, every year I have fallen in the next race. I already said in Aragon that my intention was to try to finish on the podium in all the remaining races and it remains the same, without forgetting that there is a Constructors Championship that we are leading and also the Team Championship, which Ducati is now leading, but the Repsol Honda Team is just 19 points behind and we will keep pushing for it.”

Buriram, 6 Oct 2019: Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) is now an eight-time World Champion, with the number 93 fighting off Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) for victory at Buriram to secure the 2019 MotoGP™ World Championship in some serious style. The crown makes Marquez the youngest ever six-time premier class Champion, taking the record from Giacomo Agostini, and the youngest eight-time World Champion, taking the record from Mike Hailwood. Marquez has also joined Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini as one of only three riders to have taken six or more premier class World Championships.

Marquez’ rise to record-breaker began in the 125 Championship in 2010, two years after making his debut on the world stage at 15. From podium success as a rookie in that debut season, the number 93 rose to lift the crown in 2010 – and he won ten of the last 14 races of the year on his way to that first Championship.

2011 saw Marquez make the move to Moto2™. Although the first part of the season was punctuated by crashes, it suddenly all seemed to click and after his first win in the class, one became seven. Marquez was the man with the momentum as he closed down the gap to Championship leader Stefan Bradl, even taking a podium from 38th on the grid after a penalty at Phillip Island. A crash in practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix would end his charge, however, as the number 93 suffered problems with his eyesight and was forced to forfeit the rest of the season and the chance at the crown.

The subsequent winter was a worrying one as Marquez sought to cure the problem, but surgery eventually got him back to fighting fit for 2012. He came out swinging and was the pacesetter from the off, taking the Championship in style – including a win from the back in the season finale in Valencia. From there, the premier class beckoned for 2013.

No one will ever forget Marquez’ debut in MotoGP™. A first podium first time out became a first win second time out, and he went on to become the youngest rider to clinch the premier class crown after a stunning rookie season. He was also the first rookie to achieve the feat in 35 years. But 2013 was only a taste of what was to come, with Marquez’ march through the record books continuing the year after.

Victory in the first ten races gave him an unassailable lead in 2014, and he retained the crown at the Twin Ring Motegi. 2015 began well with a win in the Americas GP once again, but the season was characterised by a few more ups and downs as Marquez lost the title for the first – and so far only – time since moving up to MotoGP™. The end of the season was dramatic in itself too, as the number 93 clashed with Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Rossi’s then-teammate Jorge Lorenzo emerged victorious in the Championship.

2016 saw the Spaniard on a serious mission to make sure he took back the throne, adjusting his strategy and riding to take the title and not simply to win races. His new approach to the season saw him able to once again wrap up the crown in Japan on Honda’s home turf. 2017 didn’t quite go to plan initially, however, as the reigning Champion suffered a DNF in Argentina and had already recorded his third 0 of the campaign by Le Mans. Insurmountable? Despite the best efforts of key rival Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) taking him to the wire – and the two staging some of the greatest duels in modern MotoGP™ history – it was a mountain Marquez was able to climb. That was title number six, and his fourth in the premier class.

Then began 2018 and the long road from Qatar to Valencia was reset once again. Fireworks in the desert as ‘DesmoDovi’ came out swinging saw their rivalry reignite and the Italian would once again prove Marquez’ closest challenger. Marquez ultimately came out on top but there were hurdles on the way – a hotly-debated Argentina race that saw the number 93 get three penalties, a resurgent Jorge Lorenzo, more last corner lunges on Dovizioso – but by Japan Marquez had pulled clear and once again took the Championship on Honda’s home turf at Motegi.

2019 could be Marquez’ best season yet. It started with another last corner defeat to Dovizioso, but next up Argentina was utter domination to set a tone – although the one hiccup of the year came right after as Marquez crashed in the Americas GP. He bounced back at Jerez and Le Mans to win two on the bounce, however, and only lost out at Mugello by hundredths before he was back on the top step at Catalunya.

The man behind him there would prove a presence for the rest of the Championship: Fabio Quartararo. But despite a season of incredible rivals and races, the key to Marquez’ success in 2019 has been consistency: even when beaten by Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) at Assen, out-duelled by Dovizioso in Austria or Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) at Silverstone; the times he didn’t take the victory, the number 93 kept raking in the points and podiums. And he did win duels, including that which ultimately secured him the crown in Thailand – fighting off that very same Quartararo at the final corner.

So after a stunning season so far – because it’s not even over yet – Marquez is crowned World Champion for the eighth time and the sixth in the premier class with nine wins, 14 podiums, and a whole host of new records for a man who already owns so many.

The 2019 MotoGP™ World Champion is Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez

First steps (1993-2000)

On 17 February 1993, a future champion was born in Lleida, Spain. Marc has always lived in Cervera, a small town where he resides with his parents and brother Alex.

At age 4, Marc asked for a motorbike for Christmas, and with the aid of training wheels, he had his first riding experience. Just a year later he began to ride Enduro for kids.

By 2000 he was also competing in Motocross, finishing second that year before taking the Catalan Championship the following year.

From dirt to tarmac (2000-2007)

In 2002 Marc finished third in the Conti Cup as he began to focus on road racing. Two years later he tried a Honda 125 GP and immediately impressed.

The 2005 season saw Marquez join forces with Emilio Alzamora, 1999 125cc World Champion with Honda, winning the 125cc Catalan Championship, as well as the 85cc Catalan Supermotard Championship.

In 2006 he began participating in the CEV Championship and although he was unable to take the title, his performances were impressive and for 2008 he earned a full-time ride in the 125cc World Championship.

World Championship Debut (2008)

Marc debuted with the Repsol KTM Team in the 2008 and in just his sixth race, the British Grand Prix, he was able to achieve his first milestone in motorcycling history taking third position, becoming the youngest rider ever to make it onto a World Championship podium.

In 2009, again sporting the number 93 on his Repsol fairing to celebrate the year he was born, Marc demonstrated the talent that had impressed everyone. With a top-five finish in nearly every race, eyes were on Marquez for the following year.

First GP win and first World Championship Title (2010)

2010 saw Marquez join the Ajo Motorsport team riding a Derbi, and from the pre-season, he set a record pace, adapting well to his new bike and team. From then he was strong and took a career first win in Mugello and a string of further wins. With a good points advantage over title rival Nico Terol, Marquez entered the last round as the championship favourite and went on to secure the 2010 125cc World Championship at 17 with 10 wins and 12 poles.

Runner-up in Moto2 in his first year (2011)

Marquez moved to the new Moto2 class for 2011 after winning the 125cc title with a handpicked team, boasting engineers and mechanics with experience in Moto2 and MotoGP. After a rocky start, Marquez recovered and charged in to championship contention. With just a few rounds remaining he had recovered 82 points on Championship leader Stefan Bradl, but a crash in FP1 for the Malaysian race left him unable to compete in the final two events, forcing him to concede the title. His seven wins, three second places and one third place earned Marc the Rookie of the Year honour and the runner-up spot in the Moto2 World Championship.

Moto2 World Champion (2012)

After a difficult off-season recovering from injury, Marquez was able to pick up where he left off and won the season opener. Fine form continued and he took eight wins (in Qatar, Portugal, Holland, Germany, Indianapolis, Czech Republic, San Marino and Japan), two runner-up finishes (Catalunya and Great Britain) and two third places (Jerez and Aragon) on his way to the championship. The advantage gained throughout the season allowed him to clinch the crown in Australia, where he became the 2012 Moto2 World Champion.

MotoGP World Champion (2013)

There were huge expectations for what Marquez could achieve in his first season in MotoGP, and he immediately demonstrated that he was able to battle with the elite of the class. The young Spaniard scored his first podium in the first race. In Austin on 21 April 2013, he claimed pole and recorded his first MotoGP win in just his second race, becoming the youngest ever rider to win a premier-class GP, at the age of 20 years, 63 days, taking the record from Freddie Spencer (20 years 196 days).

Marquez continued to impress with pole positions and a near constant challenge for the podium as he regularly fought teammate Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo. In Germany, he dominated the race and regained the Championship lead and continued his run of success, winning at Laguna Seca—becoming the first rookie to win there in the premier class and becoming the youngest rider to win back-to-back premier-class races, at the age of 20 years, 154 days, taking another record from Freddie Spencer (21 years 104 days – South Africa and France GPs – 1983). He won again in Indianapolis, becoming the first premier-class rookie to win three back-to-back races since Kenny Roberts in 1978 (Austria, France and Mugello).

Marc took his fourth win in a row at Brno, becoming the first rider since Valentino Rossi in 2008 to win four or more successive races in the premier class and also the youngest rider to have won four successive premier-class Grand Prix races. It all came down to the final race of the year, Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez separated by just 13 points as they lined up on the grid on Sunday. Riding a mature race and settling for a safe third, Marquez secured his first MotoGP World Championship in his maiden season and a new era began.

Back-to-back MotoGP Championships (2014)

Marc broke his leg during training after the first Sepang Test in 2014 and missed the second Sepang Test as well as the test at Phillip Island. He arrived in Qatar for round one with just three days on the bike but took pole in qualifying and won the race after an epic battle with Rossi. In Austin the young Spaniard led every session and won the race. In Argentina, he led all sessions apart from FP1 and again won the race. With three in a row, Marc was on a roll. He continued his dominance to the season’s midway point, winning in Germany, and then made it 10 out of 10 with an Indianapolis win after the summer break. However, he couldn’t quite manage 11 out of 11 and in Brno, teammate Dani took the victory with Marc finishing fourth.

Arriving in Japan with a 75-point advantage meant that he would seal the title if he finished in front of Pedrosa and lost no more than three points to Rossi and 15 to Lorenzo. His second-place Motegi finish and the 20 points that accompanied it delivered him his second MotoGP World Championship, becoming the first Honda rider to clinch a world title—in any class—at the Motegi circuit. He also became the youngest ever rider to win two consecutive premier-class World Championships at the age of 21 years, 237 days, taking the record from Mike Hailwood, who was 23 years, 152 days when he won his second successive 500cc title in 1963.

A challenging season (2015)

The 2015 season was Marc’s third in MotoGP, and it proved to be more difficult than previous years. After the opening races did not go as planned, Marquez produced a stellar performance at the Spanish GP to close the gap in the Championship with a well-earned second place, but inconsistency in the following rounds left him with work to do.

Marc sealed a perfect weekend in Germany, recording a new race-lap record en route to victory, following his pole-position record, and he won again in Indianapolis. With these two consecutive victories, he was able to reduce his gap to 56 points behind Rossi. Crashing in Silverstone and Aragon essentially ended his title hopes, Marquez shifting his attention to winning as many races as possible for the remainder of the year. He concluded the 2015 season with a second-place finish in the Valencia GP and finished the year in third overall but with many valuable lessons learned.

#GiveMe5 (2016)

Marquez approached his fourth MotoGP campaign with a new mentality; consistency was the key. The season started well with a podium and two wins – including in Austin, which was quickly becoming one of Marquez’s favourite circuits. More podiums followed as the World Championship returned to Europe, the Repsol Honda Team rider able to consistently battle at the front aside from a small blip in Le Mans. Marc’s new mentality was displayed perfectly in Assen when he settled for second in the soaking rain behind fellow Honda rider Jack Miller. Summer came and was accompanied by a healthy 48-point lead over Lorenzo in the championship.

Consistency in the second half of the season saw Marquez able to steadily grow his points advantage over the Yamaha pairing of Rossi and Lorenzo. The chance of sealing a fifth title at Honda’s home race in Motegi was small, but a magnificent ride and mistakes from his two rivals saw the 23 year old take his third MotoGP World Championship in front of Honda President Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director Mr. Takahiro Hachigo, who joined him on the podium, Honda Operating Officer and Director Mr. Shinji Aoyama and HRC President Mr. Yoshishige Nomura. At the age of 23 and 242 days, he became the youngest-ever rider to win three premier-class World Championship, taking the record from Mike Hailwood who was 24 years 108 days when he won his third successive 500cc title in 1964.

The #Big6 (2017)

Marc Marquez’s start to the 2017 MotoGP Championship as defending World Champion was not an easy one as he finished the first two races without a podium – the first time since 2011 that this had happened. But victory in Austin, his fifth in a row at the track, began to shift the tides and Marquez gained ground on Maverick Viñales before an unfortunate fall in Le Mans and struggles in Mugello. In an incredibly close championship, each weekend was unpredictable and Marc would have to wait until Sachsenring for his second win of the year.

Action resumed in Brno and Marquez put on a flag-to-flag master class, extending his championship lead over Viñales to 14 points. The following rounds saw Andrea Dovizioso emerge as a late title contender, the duo heading to the Asian Triple with the championship wide open. An epic Japanese GP in the pouring rain saw Marquez take his 100th career podium and arrived at the final round of the year in Valencia with a 21-point lead. A third place was all he needed to surpass Mike Hailwood (25 years and 107 days old) as the youngest rider to achieve four premier class World Championships – achieving this in Valencia at the final round of the year.

Reaching #Level7 (2018)

After a less than ideal start to his title defence in 2018, Marc Marquez proved he was without a doubt the rider to beat in 2018 with three straight victories in Austin, Jerez and Le Mans. This impressive run was soon followed by eight consecutive podium finishes, including a further four wins.

After taking victory in the first ever MotoGP race held in Thailand, Marquez enjoyed a comfortable 77-point lead ahead of Andrea Dovizioso in second. Again, Marquez had a chance to wrap up his fifth MotoGP title in six years during Honda’s home Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi (where he had also clinched his second and third premier-class titles, in 2014 and 2016, respectively). Despite qualifying only sixth on the grid at Twin Ring Motegi, Marquez scored a brilliant victory, earning his eighth win of the season, the seventh world title of his career and his fifth MotoGP World Championship in six years writing another chapter in the sport’s history books.

The #8ball (2019)

The 2019 MotoGP season started in almost ideal fashion with a second place and a victory from the first two races but disaster struck at Marquez’s beloved Circuit of the Americas, failing to finishing and ending his stranglehold on the Austin track. After this Marquez became a permanent fixture of the top two steps of the podium, finishing first or second in the next 12 races. All eyes were on the defending World Champion as he arrived at Sachsenring where he put Austin behind him to take his tenth straight pole and victory at the track.

Marquez’s incredible consistency in 2019 saw him finish the first 14 rounds with a staggering 300 points – more points than he had scored throughout 2016 and 2017 on his way to the title. Round 15 of 19, the Grand Prix of Thailand, presented Marquez with his first chance at the title. Once again it was Andrea Dovizioso who stood between Marquez and a sixth premier class crown with the Repsol Honda Team rider needing to out score the Italian by two points. With Dovizioso in fourth, a thrilling battle broke out between Marquez and Fabio Quartararo – Marquez taking victory in the last corner of the last lap. After stunning nine race wins in 2019, Marc Marquez lifted the 2019 MotoGP World Championship – his eighth world title and sixth in the premier class. In doing so he becomes the youngest rider to take six premier class World Championships and the youngest rider to take eight World Championships.

Buriram, 6 Oct 2019: With a glorious victory at the Thai Grand Prix, Marc Marquez claims his sixth MotoGP World Championship title, the eighth of his 12-year World Championship career.

In one of his most consistent seasons to date, Marquez sealed the 2019 MotoGP World Championship with 325 points and four races still remaining. The combination of the Repsol Honda Team RC213V and Marc Marquez have taken nine wins, 14 podiums and nine pole positions – missing out on the top two steps of the podium just once this season.

Marc Marquez continues to rewrite the history books:

• Most Premier-class titles by a 26-year old
• Youngest six-time Premier Class champion – 26 years and 231 days
• Youngest rider to take eight World Championships – 26 years and 231 days
• Marquez is one of only three riders to have taken six or more premier class World Championships alongside Valentino Rossi (7) and Giacomo Agostini (8)
• Marquez is one of only six riders to have claimed eight or more World Championships across all classes alongside Carlo Ubbiali (9), Mike Hailwood (9), Valentino Rossi (9), Angel Nieto (13) and Giacomo Agostini (15)
• Marquez has taken all of his MotoGP titles on Honda machinery
• Marquez is the most successful Honda rider in the premier class with six World Championships, moving ahead of Mick Doohan (5)

• 

  Marquez has won at least five GPs in the premier class across the last seven consecutive years, beating the record previously held by Valentino Rossi (2001 to 2006) and Giacomo Agostini (1967 – 1972), who each won at least five premier class GPs in six consecutive years

• Marquez holds the outright premier class pole position record of 61 poles
• With nine MotoGP wins, Marquez was won more MotoGP races than any other rider this season. He has also scored the most podiums (14) and taken the most poles (nine) in 2019
• Marc Marquez has won 17% of all MotoGP races held since 2002

• Rider Standings

  Pos.	Rider	Num	Nation	Points	Team
  1	MARQUEZ Marc	93	SPA	300	Repsol Honda Team
  2	DOVIZIOSO Andrea	4	ITA	202	Ducati Team
  3	RINS Alex	42	SPA	156	Team Suzuki Ecstar
  4	PETRUCCI Danilo	9	ITA	155	Ducati Team
  5	VINALES Maverick	12	SPA	147	Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
  6	ROSSI Valentino	46	ITA	137	Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
  7	QUARTARARO Fabio	20	FRA	123	Petronas Yamaha SRT
  8	MILLER Jack	43	AUS	117	Pramac Racing
  9	CRUTCHLOW Cal	35	GBR	98	LCR Honda
  10	MORBIDELLI Franco	21	ITA	80	Petronas Yamaha SRT
  11	ESPARGARO Pol	44	SPA	77	Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
  12	NAKAGAMI Takaaki	30	JPN	68	LCR Honda
  13	MIR Joan	36	SPA	49	Team Suzuki Ecstar
  14	ESPARGARO Aleix	41	SPA	46	Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
  15	IANNONE Andrea	29	ITA	32	Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
  16	OLIVEIRA Miguel	88	POR	29	Red Bull KTM Tech 3
  17	BAGNAIA Francesco	63	ITA	29	Pramac Racing
  18	ZARCO Johann	5	FRA	27	Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
  19	LORENZO Jorge	99	SPA	23	Repsol Honda Team
  20	RABAT Tito	53	SPA	18	Reale Avintia Racing
  21	BRADL Stefan	6	GER	16	Repsol Honda Team

Buriram, 5 Oct 2019: The Repsol Honda Team kept their cool after a wet and wild start to Saturday in Thailand, Marquez securing a front row start despite a crash and Lorenzo is ready to fight forward. Dovi starts P7 and the Spainiard has to score two more points than Dovi to seal his 8th championship here on Sunday.

After delays of over an hour due to a heavy morning downpour, action eventually got underway in Buriram. Initially wet, the 4.6 kilometre long circuit was fast to dry and times continued to improve throughout the following sessions. Conditions improved sufficiently and both Free Practice 4 and qualifying were held in the dry.

A lack of dry running in the morning didn’t slow the MotoGP field come Q2 as riders quickly dropped in to the low 1’30s. Times continued to fall with Marquez setting a best time of 1’29.931 before beginning his final flying lap. Faster than his previously lap during the opening sectors, Marquez unfortunately suffered his second fall of the weekend with an off at Turn 5. Immediately to his feet, Marquez was unharmed and will line up third on the grid but a very productive Free Practice 4 session has Marc Marquez feeling confident for the race on Sunday.

Jorge Lorenzo was upbeat with how Saturday went in Thailand, despite being unable to improve his time from Friday for a spot in Q2 due to the weather. Setting his best lap time of the weekend, Lorenzo finished the Q1 session within a second of Petrucci and will start from 19th on the grid but believes he could have been at least a row higher had a mistake late in his flying lap not cost him several tenths.

Marquez begins Sunday’s 26-lap MotoGP race in Buriram from the front row with his first opportunity to wrap up the 2019 MotoGP World Championship. The Repsol Honda Team rider must out score Andrea Dovizioso by two points, a second career victory in Thailand will guarantee the title. Title rival Dovizioso starts seventh.

After qualifying third, Marquez said: “Today was a very good day for us, apart from the small crash at the end of Qualifying. After the fall, physically I am OK. I have a little bit of pain but it’s no excuse for the race tomorrow. We have a very good pace and we kept working and pushing throughout the day for tomorrow’s important race. The crashes this weekend aren’t a problem, for tomorrow, we have good pace and we will treat it like any other race – aiming to fight for the podium and victory.”