Bouncing back in Buri Ram
Spaniard up and running after ‘nightmare’ crash at Thailand MotoGP practice
ABOVE Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez practises for the Moto GP race at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram. The five-time MotoGP championship winner hit a corner and tumbled off his bike, prompting a visit to hospital. He was later declared fit to race. RIGHT A small farm truck or ‘etan’ is yesterday used to serve visitors to the MotoGP in Buri Ram. The event began yesterday and will run until tomorrow. PHOTOS BY PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
>> BURI RAM: Spaniard Marc Marquez recovered from a “nightmare” crash to record the sixth fastest lap during an afternoon practice session of the Thailand Grand Prix, keeping hopes up of winning his sixth MotoGP world title here.
The Honda rider was back in form hours after he tumbled off his bike as he hit a corner in a morning session, prompting a trip to a hospital for an MRI.
Declared fit to race, Marquez told reporters he was still feeling pain in his back, pelvis and knee after the crash, which rattled the superstar.
“It was a nightmare, around five seconds I couldn’t breathe,” the 26-year-old said. “It was a big impact.”
He added that it was his mistake but new tyres and track conditions could have factored in.
Team manager Alberto Puig told reporters that nothing serious was found. “We were lucky today,” he said.
Marquez secured his eighth victory of the season at Aragon in Spain last month, a victory all but ending any lingering hopes Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci, Alex Rins, Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi still had of lifting the trophy.
He has his eyes on sealing the 2019 championship in Thailand tomorrow.
Marquez sits 98 points ahead of Ducati’s Dovizioso in the current standings with five
races remaining.
The Thailand Grand Prix is being held at Chang International Circuit for the second time.
Marquez won the inaugural race last year in a thrilling last turn
battle with Dovizioso.
Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Vinales and Franco Morbidelli were the fastest riders in yesterday’s practice, making it a Yamaha 1-2-3.
Jack Miller of Pramac Racing was fourth followed by Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Dovizioso.
Thailand has won the rights to stage three MotoGP races from 2018-2020.
The government wants to extend the contract for another three years.
The 2020 Thailand Grand Prix will be held in March at the same venue. AFP/BANGKOK POST