Buri Ram last chance saloon for leader Marquez’s rivals
MotoGP sets sail for shores unknown at Buri Ram this week, with a lot on the line as the final rounds get in gear.
Spain’s Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda enjoys a 72-point lead at the top of the MotoGP world championship as the paddock heads for the inaugural PTT Thailand Grand Prix at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram.
That’s almost three race wins clear and it’s fast becoming a last chance saloon for those on the chase, currently led by Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso.
Now is the time to strike, but no one can shake off the consistency of four-time world champion Marquez.
Testing at Chang International Circuit in February suggests that Honda will be strong this week.
It was Cal Crutchlow of LCR Honda who topped the first day of the test at Buri Ram, Marquez who was quickest on the second day and Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda went fastest on the third and overall — a clean sweep for the Japanese manufacturer.
Ducati have only gained momentum as the year has gone on while Lorenzo arrives on the road to recovery after that crash at Aragon, but the ‘Spartan’ isn’t known as the ‘Spartan’ for nothing.
Meanwhile, PTT Lubricants announced yesterday that it and SAG Racing Team are sponsoring local racer Thitipong “Tingnote” Warakorn to compete in Moto2 in Buri Ram.
Thitipong had an unsuccessful spell in Moto2 a few years ago.