The Repsol Honda Team rider finishes third in the thirteenth sprint race of the season. Joan Mir suffers a crash while running fourth.
The Buddh International Circuit hosted the first sprint race in its history this Saturday. Due to heavy rain, the start of the race was delayed by more than an hour and a half, but finally the 11-lap contest was held in dry conditions.
Marc Márquez took to the podium by crossing the finish line of the Indian Grand Prix sprint race in third. After a positive Friday, going straight through to Q2 and qualifying sixth on the grid, the Repsol Honda Team rider was able to gain positions during the first half of the race and climb onto the rostrum, claiming seven points.
Joan Mir was in fourth when he suffered a crash that left him forced to retire. He had qualified fifth in Q2, his best result to date with the Repsol Honda Team.
The 20-lap Indian Grand Prix race will take place on Sunday at 12h (CEST).
MARC MÁRQUEZ – 3rd
“A really important and of course good feeling day. I was there with the group, pushing and able to ride in a really good way. I had to take a lot of risks, especially at the end to defend and I set my fastest lap of the race on the last lap. But I was able to be consistent and ride well which is the main point and take away. Doing it again tomorrow will be more difficult, but we need to enjoy this moment and get another boost of motivation from it. I want to say a big thank you to the Repsol Honda Team and HRC for their continued efforts.”
JOAN MIR – DNF
”I think overall we had a really solid Saturday, we earned our best grid position of the year and continued to be able to run at the front. We started the race well and in those opening laps it was all going well and I was feeling really good on the bike. Unfortunately, I made a mistake and then crashed soon after, this is obviously a shame because it would have been fantastic to bring home a result for the team. Still we were able to show more of our potential and we will try to finish the job we started today in the main race on Sunday.”
