Marquez keen to better Oz record

Phillip Island (Australia), Oct. 24: Phillip Island is one of Marc Marquez’s favourite places and the already-crowned MotoGP world champion has no intention of easing up this weekend in Australia, where he lays claim to a bizarre record.

The gifted Spaniard, who equalled Australian Mick Doohan’s premier class wins tally with his 54th victory in Japan last weekend, is eager to keep his incredible season going.

“It’s one of my favourite tracks. I enjoy a lot, riding there, especially the left corners,” said Marquez, who will be gunning for his 11th victory of the year, and fifth in a row, on the island south of Melbourne.

“But it’s a circuit where many others, and especially Yamaha can be strong,” he added.

“Normally we have a lot of competition there and it will be a challenge as always. Our target is of course to try to win, but once the weekend begins, we will see where we are and assess the situation.”

He has a chequered history in Australia.

Marquez won at the picturesque circuit in 2015 and 2017 but was dramatically forced out after a frightening high-speed collision last year.

Starting from pole, he was shunted by Yamaha’s Johann Zarco on lap six as they were screaming down the track at 250 kph. While he managed to stay on his bike, his back seat was mangled and his suspension damaged, forcing him to call it a day.

It meant Marquez has failed to finish in Australia on three occasions after clinching the world title in Japan -- 2014, 2016 and 2018.

He sealed his sixth world crown this year a race earlier in Thailand, while wrapping up a 25th constructors’ championship in Motegi for Honda.