On Sunday afternoon atr the Phillip Island in Melbourne Australia, Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez put on a stellar performance to secure a crucial victory, the 61st win of his career, his 35th in MotoGP, and his sixth this year.
The performance extended his Championship lead to 269 points, 33 ahead Andrea Dovizioso, who remains his only rival for the Title.
Marc was aware that he had a chance that was too good to miss, on a circuit he loves. However, he had to face an incredibly close, race-long battle in an eight-rider leading group formed by Marquez, Rossi, Viรฑales, Zarco, Iannone, Miller, Crutchlow, and Rins, fighting hard and constantly swapping positions from the start to two thirds of race distance.
Marc waited for his moment before taking the lead on lap 21, then pushed hard to pull a gap on his pursuers and crossed the line 1.799โ ahead of Rossi and 1.826โ in front of Viรฑales in third.
โIt was such an amazing race, I think we put on a fantastic show for the fans! I'm very happy, as I knew that today was important,โ he said. โDovi was struggling a little this weekend, while I was feeling really good on the bike and had to make the best of it. When the race started I was thinking I had to stay calm and manage the tyres, but then Zarco hit me and I realized it was going to be a battle."
"I was in a group of fighters. I knew I had to push and defend, but also to attack. So I just tried to control the situation and then, with around eight laps to go, I just gave it my all. I pushed really hard for three or four laps and that was it. I'm happy with the win of course, but even more with going to Malaysia with a 33 point advantage!โ
