Reigning MotoGP World Champion dominates on 100th Grand Prix appearance and takes his 100th points of the current season. Dani Pedrosa claims third place and equals Giacomo Agostini’s 87 podiums.
A win at the Jerez circuit had eluded Marc Marquez in his Grand Prix career before this weekend, but on the occasion of his 100th race he was victorious at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. The reigning MotoGP World Champion continued his unstoppable form to triumph for the fourth time in as many races this season. His Repsol Honda teammate, Dani Pedrosa, was also on the rostrum, extending a run of nine consecutive podium finishes at Jerez in the premier class. His latest top three placing moves him level with Giacomo Agostini on the list of riders with the most podiums, with 87. Only Valentino Rossi –149– and Mick Doohan –95– have superior totals.
The excitement at the Spanish Grand Prix barely lasted a lap, as Andrea Dovizioso started well and Marquez, Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Pedrosa exchanged passes on the opening corners. The first time the riders came back around, Rossi was first, with Marquez, Lorenzo and Pedrosa behind him. The Italian’s lead would not endure, however, and half a lap later Marquez made a pass up the inside at Dry Sack to head the race. Marquez never looked back, taking a fourth consecutive victory from pole position.
Pedrosa was unable to keep up the pace on the opening laps. It was not until lap 21 of 27 that he finally got past Lorenzo and began to go after Rossi. He caught the Italian on the final lap, but was 0.098s from claiming a repeat of the Repsol Honda one-twos from Austin and Argentina.
With this result, Marquez extends his lead in the World Championship with a perfect 100 point total. Pedrosa has 72 points and Rossi 61. The next round is the French Grand Prix, held at Le Mans.
Marc Marquez >> AUDIO
1st, 45:24.134
“I started well today, but when I saw that Valentino was trying to pass me on the first corner I knew his intention was to slow down the race so he could control the pace. Riding behind him I realised that I could go faster, so I tried to overtake him as soon as possible. I was surprised, because I wasn’t expecting to open up a gap. Anyway, I am in good form at the moment, but I can see that Dani, Valentino and Jorge are giving their 100% in every practice and in every race. I’m sure that sooner or later will come a race in which we are unable win, but we will have to learn from that and try to take important points.”
Dani Pedrosa >> AUDIO
3rd, + 1.529 sec.
“The race today was very difficult; I had problems with the front tyre from the opening lap and I tried to overcome the situation as best I could. I saw that Marc was breaking away but couldn’t do anything to stick with him –it was completely his race today. I was able to stay behind the Yamahas for many laps, and at the end I made my attack. I was able to overtake Lorenzo but would have needed one or two more corners to try and pass Rossi. I did my best and took third place. We will see if at tomorrow’s test we can be closer to Marc and fight to the maximum at the next race.”
