Full article
Marc Márquez cruises to victory in Brno and everyone is wondering: when will he be crowned champion?
Marc Márquez doesn't race, he executes. This season, he has been a symphony of absolute dominance in MotoGP. In Brno, he once again climbed to the top step of the podium with the ease that only the chosen few possess. And the question is no longer whether he will win the title this year, but when. The gap between him and the rest of the pack is so overwhelming that he could even be crowned champion in Misano, Valentino Rossi's home turf. No big deal.
The rider from Cervera has half the World Championship in the bag. In the Czech Republic, he secured his eighth Sunday victory of the season and his fifth consecutive double in the sprint and main races. With his brother Alex out due to a crash and Jorge Martín far from the podium, Marc has shot ahead in the overall standings with a 120-point lead. Translated into racing terms, that's a three-weekend cushion. If everything continues as it is, we could see the definitive celebration on enemy territory.
And Marc himself is clear about it: ‘The only way to lose this World Championship is to get injured,’ he confessed bluntly after the race. It's not arrogance, it's reality. He knows he's on top, both in terms of riding and confidence. In fact, when asked about records or figures, he brushes them aside. ‘The only thing that matters to me is winning the championship. The records will come on their own,’ he concluded.
The numbers, just in case, speak for themselves. Of the 24 races contested between long and sprint races, he has won 19. Only five have slipped away from him: two due to crashes (Austin and Jerez), one due to rain (Le Mans), and another two at Silverstone, where his brother Alex stole the show on Saturday and he finished third on Sunday. There is little to complain about in an almost perfect season.
Brno was business as usual: he overtook Bezzecchi on lap 8 and from there, as if on autopilot, he headed straight for victory. ‘It was impossible to keep up with him,’ admitted Marco himself, resigned to the red steamroller. Jorge Martín, still limping, finished seventh, and Aprilia was delighted with its rider's podium finish.
But beyond the asphalt, Marc has also changed inside. After years marked by injuries, operations and doubts, the eldest of the Márquez brothers has found balance. And it shows. ‘I've learned to manage my head better. I used to do it well, but now I play with my mind more than with the limits of the bike,’ he explained. He even admits that the difficult seasons have made him grow as a person. ‘Maybe I lost time as a professional, but I gained a lot on a personal level,’ he reflected.
On the stage of his possible coronation, the name Misano came up. An Italian journalist baited him: would you like to win the World Championship in Valentino Rossi's backyard? Marc, with a mischievous smile, diplomatically dodged the dart: "I don't think it's possible. There are still many races to go and we have to be careful. I tried to win too early in 2014 and ended up crashing in Misano and Aragón."
That said, the calculator is already on. The goal is still to score maximum points every weekend, but with a clear head. Marc knows that there is a final stretch with many races in a row and he does not want to repeat past mistakes. That's why he insists that the important thing is to stay focused and not go crazy.
And in case anyone doubts his level of superstition or concentration, one detail makes it clear: in Germany, during the run-up to his 200th MotoGP race, he was offered a cake to celebrate... and he refused to blow out the candles before he had raced. ‘First I compete, then I celebrate,’ he said.
Comments
Related links
Main menu
