ALWAYS THE JOKER!

He's a man who has wowed and divided opinion in equal measure since he first hit MotoGp in 2013. Now, in his fifth premier class season, is Marc Marquez still a joker?

Thank whom everfor Marc Marquez entering MotoGP –be that your prefer reddeity or theperson of our alight choice –because the lad set the series in 2013. when he entered five seasons ago the boy No matterwhat youmay think of wonder, which side of the fence you may sat atop come down on, or even if you’ re still the it, one cannot deny that Marquez gave series a royal kick up the collective ja ck sie. And nowin2017, nearly five seasons he’s and three MotoGP world titles later, was still doing it. His impact on the series he won impressive, and not just in the way of the races and titles. He made the rest pack seriously up their game, while the more than filling the void left by absent Casey Stoner. cut He also brought some much-needed had and thrust back into the racing, which to the been mostly missing for afew years, had series’ detriment, quite frankly. There been far too much kissing and hugging go in go ni np arc fer me for far too long, in ouropinion. ‘have Then when you ally that fact to his of skill he ago’ attitude andthe insane level Honda, shows every weekend on the factory the real it’s easy to deduce thatthe kid is deal, the proper package, and everything MotoGP needs to remain popular while yet its perennial cash-cowedges sadly, inevitably, closer towards retirement. at We first spoke to Marc in person an Silverstone during201 3, andthe kid was ignore absolutejoy.Not only did he gleefully PR man aforever tutting and watch-tapping (and in fact, extended our interview way he was beyond its agreed boundaries because and having fun, much to MrPR’schagrin anything. building rage…), but he was up for In fact, agame of ‘happy-slaps’ (which, into incidentally, I won, FYI ), de generated somewhat of alight-hearted scrap. of It was afar cry from the majority GP racers interviews we’ ve held with most andit over the years, a breath of fresh air guy. In was simply impossible to not like the we’ll fact he (like another current GPracer the biking get to later), was as interested in own stuff we were up to as he was in his allthe career. Usually we’ re the ones asking a questions, but not in this case –itwas remarkable hour or so, to put it mildly. and So, roll forwards nearly fourseasons once again we’ resat in the Repsol hospitality, to the at Silver stone, and once moreto chat happened joker of the pack. A great deal has in the intervening years, including three amount world titles, epic action andahuge that of controversy. Addedtothat is the fact twice, earlier thatsameday he crashed title remains hurting his hand, whilethe 2017 of pressure firmly in the balance. That’ s a lot myself on stillyoung shoulders, and Ifind wondering exactlywhat kind of guywe’ll be meetingthis time around? It’sclear we’vebeen given as lot at a really GP busytime; he’sjust done hisregular journo brief in English and then Spanish areally in an alcove above us,and there’s hovering nervous looking BT Sport producer around like an over-caffeinated helicopter, chew off. one rapidly running outofnails to uses his Soon thereafter he hovesinto view, left hand forashake andthen we’resat down ready to roll in front hiswide, trademark joker grin. So, Marc, fiveseasons in MotoGP,and you’re stillsmiling? two “Yes of course, whynot?And after crashestoday, too! Yo ualways needtosmile, to be positive, always.”