The 2013 Valencia Grand Prix is one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry. Champions were crowned and careers were made as five riders fought for two titles. Moto3 and MotoGP didn’t just live up to the hype, they far surpassed it, and Moto2 signed off with its usual excitement, even though Pol Espargaro had already clinched the championship. With the Spaniard crashing out of a comfortable lead, Pol hasn’t made this week’s TCF Power Five but let’s take a look at those who have…
5. Marc Marquez (MotoGP)
(Photo Credit: Repsol Honda)
How the landscape of MotoGP has changed in twelve months. Jorge Lorenzo was the world champion, Casey Stoner was bidding the sport farewell, and Marc Marquez was winning the Moto2 race from the back of the grid. One rookie year later, and the 20 year old Spaniard is the gold standard in motorcycle racing.
Fourth position was all that was required for Marquez but that didn’t seem to slow him down in qualifying as he smashed the lap record, beating a fired up Lorenzo to pole position. Race day wasn’t a day for all-or-nothing banzai laps though and just as he did in Japan, Marquez showed the composed attitude of a champion.
Lorenzo threw everything at him, slowing the pace down at the front in an attempt to back him into trouble, but once he and Dani Pedrosa came to blows, Marquez sneaked into the lead and relative safety. Just as in 125s here three years ago, Marc had no interest in chasing the win and calmly brought his bike home, making a potentially difficult task look ridiculously easy. In truth, that has been the story of his season.
