He’s just insatiable
World champion Marquez has two more titles to win for Honda
SEPANG: Spanish sensation Marc Marquez is determined to get back on track and show why he is a five-time MotoGP world champion at the age of 25 – just a week after suffering his first race retirement.
Marquez will line up with fellow compatriot Dani Pedrosa at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend seeking to seal the constructors and the team title.
With two rounds to go, Honda enjoy a 39-point advantage in the constructor’s standings over closest rivals Ducati (300 points).
Repsol Honda Team are on top of the team standings with 391 points with Movistar Yamaha second with 375 points.
Marquez’s bike was clipped from behind by Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider Johann Zarco at high speed during the Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island last Sunday.
Zarco slid out of the race while Marquez managed to keep control of his bike but was forced to retire due to the damage.
Marquez, who retained his world title in Motegi, Japan, two weeks ago, said he has put behind the disappointment in Phillip Island and looks to shine at Sepang – a track where he has twice finished on the podium before.
At Sepang, Marquez won the 125cc race in the 2010 edition and he earned his first premier class victory in 2014.
“We had quite an eventful race in Australia and it was a pity we couldn’t fight until the end, but that’s gone now and we look forward to the next round in Malaysia with our usual spirit and positive mentality,” said Marquez.
“We still have our target of two more titles to achieve. We also want to try and win again if we have the chance to do so.”
As was the case with the Thailand GP a few weeks ago, Marquez is aware he has to deal with the region’s very hot temperatures and physically demanding sessions.
“Malaysia is a demanding round from a physical point of view but that’s something we are prepared to deal with, so we’ll keep our concen- tration high and try to start strong beginning with the practice sessions from Friday morning.
“But I have done well here before and it’s a track I quite like,” he added.
Marquez and Pedrosa were at Sepang early to take part in a community outreach programme for Repsol Malaysia yesterday.
Both global ambassadors for Repsol did their part to promote road awareness and personal safety among underprivileged communities.
Thirty students from schools across the Sepang district learnt the importance of safety gear, proper licensing, training and speed from the duo.