Marquez on the verge of fourth world MotoGP crown

VALENCIA (Spain): Spain’s Marc Marquez is poised to wrap up a fourth world MotoGP title, an achievement which appeared a long-distance dream in the first half of the season.

The 24-year-old Honda rider, who was world champion in the premier class in 2013, 2014 and 2016, watched as Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales romped to victory in three of the first five races.

He was even down in fourth spot in the standings after old rival Valentino Rossi won in Holland.

But the second half of the season has been monopolised by Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso on a Ducati.

Five of Marquez’s six wins in 2017 have come since the Assen race as Yamaha fell dramatically off the pace.

Dovizioso also has six wins to his name but Marquez heads for Spain with a 21-point advantage meaning he only has to finish in the top 11 on Sunday to again be crowned world champion.

“Of course it will be natural to feel some pressure in Valencia with so much at stake, but honestly there has been pressure for the entire second part of the season,” said Marquez whose attempts to wrap up the title in rain-swept Malaysia two weeks ago were thwarted by a fourth-place finish.

“The fact that we’ve been able to mnage some tricky situations, as was the case at the last race in Malaysia, gives me a positive feeling.

“Regarding the track, I feel good because I like Valencia. It’s an anti-clockwise circuit, which normally suits me. Of course it’s also good to have a points advantage to manage.

“That said, we won’t think too much about any of those things. We definitely don’t think it will be easy, so we won’t go to Valencia with any extra confidence.”