Champion Marquez Begins 2020 Build-up In Japan
Muhammad Rameez Published October 18, 2019 | 10:00 AM
Motegi, Japan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Oct, 2019 ) :With his sixth MotoGP world title already secured, Marc Marquez will head into this weekend's Japanese race already planning for next season where he will aim to close in on Giacomo Agostini's all-time record of eight elite level championships.
Spain's Marquez claimed his sixth MotoGP crown in seven seasons last time out in Thailand, with four races to spare, and eighth overall.
A race victory on Sunday would be his 10th of the season but the 26-year-old Honda rider is already thinking of next year where another title would take him level with Valentino Rossi, who won the last of his seven world championships in 2009, one back from Agostini, whose record eighth came in 1975.
"The target now is to win the 'Triple Crown'," said Marquez. "The constructors championship is there but the team championship will be difficult, we'll never give up. 2020 starts in Motegi." His focus on next year comes as a consequence of the pressure being applied by fast-improving French rookie Fabio Quartararo.
The Yamaha rider has suffered two narrow defeats to the world champion in recent races with victory only decided on the closing laps.
"I didn't expect this guy," Marqeuz said of Quartararo.
"He will be a very tough contender next year for the championship." The 20-year-old Frenchman has had four pole positions and five podium slots so far.
"I really like this track," Quartararo said on Thursday on the Twin Ring Motegi track which is 86 miles (139km) away from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant.
"The objective at the beginning of the year was to take the 'Rookie of the year' title, but I'm not focussing on that any more." Quartararo's rookie season has seen the Petronas Yamaha rider climb to seventh in the rankings, and in the second half of the season he has emerged as Marquez's biggest rival.
Behind Marquez all riders down to Quartararo are still in with a chance of the runners up position for the 2019 season.
However, Ducati's 33-year-old Andrea Dovizioso, who won in Japan in 2017, can seal second place on Sunday.
"I'm expecting to deliver a big performance, it's a stop-start kind of course with fast acceleration key and our machine likes that even if some of the bends suit other bikes," said Dovizioso, who was 125cc champion back in 2004 but never yet won the title in the top category.
The season wraps up with a 21st race at Valencia in mid-November after visits to Australia and Malaysia.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ISSI, FES hold int'l moot 'Pakistan in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape'
Anonymous allegations against PR chairman rejected
Dallas hosts Kashmiri diaspora: A convergence for environmental, peace advocacy
PML-N’s Central General Council to meet on May 11
Gillani calls for further promoting parliamentary relations between Pakistan, US
Massive financial, administrative scam unearthed at SCCI
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
FCCI welcomes Iranian president's visit
Chief Commissioner briefs Federal Minister Engr Amir Muqam about Raha Program
Millat Express stop at Bandhi extended
Govt. making all-out efforts to enhance energy mix to provide affordable electri ..
ATC adjourns hearing of May-9 violence case till May 11
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
7 minutes ago -
Advisor Sports hands over Rs500,000 to prominent Martial Art Athlete Irfan Mehsud
3 minutes ago -
Muhammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan ruled out of T20I series against New Zealand
23 minutes ago -
Rizwan, Irfan out of New Zealand series
13 minutes ago -
Sana named ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier ambassador
2 hours ago -
Stone Lifter Martin Licis showcases skills at Haripur cultural sports competition
2 hours ago
-
Imad Wasim expected to take part in fourth T20I match against New Zealand
2 hours ago -
Football: English Premier League result
2 hours ago -
Cycling delegation calls on Chief Minister KP Adviser on Sports, Youth Affairs
3 hours ago -
UCP wins Judo Championship 2024
4 hours ago -
Shaheen Afridi excels in ICC T20I Rankings
2 hours ago -
Governor KP visits Khyber Girls Medical College
4 hours ago