Good thing Spain’s Marc Marquez only rode one race over a five-week period earlier this year. Otherwise he might be hanging up his helmet in a few years.
The MotoGP field may not be as stacked as it has been in recent years, but Marc Marquez has once again proven his ability to keep pace with the best, setting an unofficial course record in his home country by coming from a 13-second deficit to claim victory in Valencia.
In Q1 Marquez couldn’t catch another rider to score his 50th career pole, instead using his massive Honda engine to outmaneuver Jack Miller and earn third fastest.
When the field headed for the pit lane for the final sector of the race, Marquez picked off Alex Rins to make a late move. With his team doing all the work behind the scenes, the Spaniard held on for an impressive win.
The win has Marquez tied for second place in the world championship standings with Stefan Bradl, 44 points adrift of title-leader Johann Zarco, who finished the race in fifth place.
Marlka’s win was his sixth in the Spanish Grand Prix and he’s now 24 points behind Zarco. He’ll take a week off from practice before returning in Barcelona on Sunday for the finale.
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Here’s how other top international racers are looking at tonight’s race at Valencia:
NICO ROSBERG
“I had good pace in the second sector and great braking. I think today I did a very good qualifying and it was a bit difficult to handle in the first sector. It’s hard to say now, after three races, but we have every chance for this race to do a great result.”
JAMI ROSBERG
“We had some problems in final sector, but I felt good, I was determined to do a great lap and that’s how I rode for the last sector.”
RORY McILROY
“I didn’t expect it to be this exciting. It’s only because it’s such a great race and the track is so hard. It’s so competitive, so that’s why I’ve got this calm feeling, especially today. It’s not the easiest place to drive, it’s very scary. It’s hard to take advantage of the soft tyres and you have to enjoy it and it’s just working so well. So many drivers have fallen off, it’s so dangerous. I’m just glad to be the one that stayed on that front row.”
NAPA’S MARC MARQUEZ
“It was a good start but I didn’t feel it was a good start. The guys in front were passing people, they were pushing. It was frustrating, really frustrating. It’s such a good circuit I was waiting for the perfect position but I didn’t have it in Q1 and in Q2.”
BRITISH BOY IN PASTORAL
“I’m confident with Pastor as I know my team can work hard for me with the bike and I don’t need to push too hard. The guys did a great job. I’m very happy.”
MARCHIONE HONG
“It was a good result. We did the job in front of us, we had a great run. We finished the race in the top three and that’s what we expected, so I’m very happy.”
STEPHEN ESPAGO
“I think the rhythm was good. I think we are ready for the end of the season with the new bike. I think with these parts we need to learn how to set up the bike and how to use them.”
LATEST STANDINGS
1. Johann Zarco, Yamaha, 95
2. Marc Marquez, Honda, 94
3. Dani Pedrosa, Honda, 93
4. Bradley Smith, Yamaha, 73
5. Stefan Bradl, Ducati, 71
6. Alvaro Bautista, Honda, 61
7. Maverick Vinales, Honda, 60
8. Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha, 58
9. Tito Rabat, Ducati, 48
10. Alvaro Bautista, Ducati, 47
11. Craig Tennyson, Honda, 46
12. Ben Spies, Yamaha, 46
13. Maverick Vinales, Honda, 44