MotoGP

MotoGP 2014: Qatar Grand Prix – Power Five

5 Mins read

1. Marc Marquez (MotoGP)

Just when you think Marc Marquez can’t impress you any more, the little genius goes and does it. The 21 year old broke his leg a matter of weeks ago and hadn’t ridden a motorcycle in anger again until arriving in Qatar for the season opener. Understandably, Marc started the weekend with caution and with the open and satellite bikes benefitting from a week of testing at Losail, pole position may have seemed an optimistic aim.

Marquez has made a career of achieving the improbable and by the time Q2 came around, he was right on the pace. The reigning champion beat Alvaro Bautista and Bradley Smith to pole position and had the measure of the pair on Sunday night too but Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa came to the party to dispute the victory.

Rossi in particular put all sorts of pressure on the youngster but when every single question was asked, Marquez came up with an emphatic and decisive answer. The penultimate lap was thrilling as the pair went at it tooth and nail but the last lap was arguably an even more impressive display of Marquez’s brilliance as the Spaniard set a 1:55.710, his quickest of the race, too ensure Rossi would have no opportunity to pass him.

The worrying part if you’re one of Marc’s championship rivals is that this was the period in the season when he was supposed to be vulnerable. Just wait until he’s fully fit.

(Photo Credit: Repsol Honda)

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