Marc Marquez has admitted that victory was not part of his target ahead of his first MotoGP™ race at Laguna Seca. On Sunday, the 20-year-old rookie extended his championship lead as he became the youngest ever back-to-back winner in the premier class.
Marquez had already celebrated success at the Sachsenring last weekend, when chief title rivals Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa were out of action. On this occasion, he became the first rider to win at Laguna Seca in his debut season of MotoGP™ and now carries a 16-point lead over Repsol Honda Team partner Pedrosa.
“Before I came here, I was expecting to struggle more,” Marquez began, having dramatically overhauled Rossi at the infamous Corkscrew. “From the TV, this circuit looked so tricky. Since FP1 I have felt so good. Next time I’ll be able to learn where all of the bumps are and everything – yesterday I found a new bump, when I crashed at Turn 6! Anyway, today in the race it was so good.
"At the beginning, with a full fuel tank, I was little bit scared because - with all of those bumps - it’s so easy to lose the front. I overtook Valentino (Rossi) then caught Bradl; I stayed behind him for about 12 laps, then tried to pass him to open up a gap. I’m very, very happy because it’s a new circuit and I’ve got 25 points. I’m very happy because it’s great to go into the summer break with this result."
Marquez now carries his championship-leading advantage into the summer break, after which the action will resume at Indianapolis in mid-August.
source : motogp.com
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