Match point to Marquez after his Aragon supremacy

Thanks to a flawless weekend at the Gran Premio Michelin® de Aragon, Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez now has a match point at his disposal when the paddock head to the PTT Thailand Grand Prix next time out.

Sunday saw the number 93 launch from pole, take the holeshot into Turn 1 and simply leave the field in his wake. Marquez eventually took win number eight of the season by over four seconds and his fourth consecutive Aragon GP win means his lead increased to 98 points over second place Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team). That means, with 100 points still to play for, Marquez simply needs to increase his advantage over Dovizioso by over two points to be crowned Champion in Thailand.

“Of course I’m happy about the way that we finished the weekend. It was the perfect weekend. I was clever, I was convinced about my strategy during the race and it’s what I did: push a lot at the beginning and then control the distance. So yeah, to take 25 points in a very good way and at a circuit that I like a lot is the best way to finish my home Grand Prix,” began Marquez, reflecting on his home turf victory.

“I was very comfortable. Honestly speaking, I was riding in a very good way, I just felt everything on the bike, it was very nice to ride and yeah, I’m happy. In Thailand we will have the first match ball so I will try, of course I will try, but I know Dovi will be very strong too.

“The target in Thailand is to try to fight for the victory like every weekend, that’s the main target. Then we will see. I know Dovi will be strong but we’ll give it 100%. We’ll push from the beginning of the weekend until the end but right now I want to enjoy this victory.

“I will enjoy the win but I don’t want to lose time thinking about the victories or what will come in Thailand or Motegi. Of course, the Championship is getting closer and closer but we’ll keep going with the same mentality.”

Will Marquez emerge as 2019 Champion on October 5? Dovizioso ran Marquez all the way last season, with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) not far away either. Both men – and others – won’t make it easy for the Champion-elect next time out, so it should be another belter of a weekend in Thailand.