Marc Marquez has won all his MotoGP titles riding Honda motorcycles equalling Mick Doohan as the two riders with the most premier class titles with the Japanese manufacturer (5). He has joined Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini as one of only four riders to have taken five or more premier class titles.
Marquez is also the youngest rider to reach the milestone of 50 pole positions in the Premier class, 25 years 231 days old (Thai GP – October 6th 2018) taking the record from Mick Doohan who was 35 years 122 days old when he set his 50th pole position at his home GP (Australian GP – October 4th 1997).
“Marc is a brilliant rider and deserves all he has achieved at only 25 years old. He is riding a perfect season, with eight wins to date, combined with his strong consistency that’s put him on the podium at most races. I want to congratulate Marc on his fifth MotoGP title. I am proud to share this milestone with him. Thanks, Marc for the great show that you make on the track and for your style, which is just inimitable!”, said Mick Doohan who is a five times 500cc Grand Prix World Champion.
Mick Doohan: I am proud to share this milestone with Marc
“I feel really, really good. I would say it’s a dream came true, or better, that I’m living a dream. It’s something so special, here together with my team, all the Honda and HRC people, my family and my staff. It has been a great season, and ever since Aragon I’ve been tasting, imagining this title because it was very close. Then I realized that this wasn’t my style, and I needed extra motivation, so I set the goal of trying to achieve it with my first match ball – in Motegi, by winning the race. This circuit was a challenging one to manage that, but it seems like when I’m under pressure, I feel better on the bike!”, Marquez said.
“The race was as I expected. I was prepared to make a good start and immediately make some passes. I got to second place at the end of the first lap. And then I was able to follow Andrea [Dovizioso] and stay with him. I thought I could try and attack before the last lap because I felt I had something extra to give. He was pushing very hard and made a mistake, and that’s a shame because he deserved to be here on the podium.”
Marquez: “Anyway, when I crossed the finish line it was an explosion of joy”
“My people prepared this Level7 celebration, but I didn’t know anything ahead of time. I never want to know, but I think it’s because I used to play that kind of game a lot. Now it’s time to celebrate this seventh title and enjoy these final three races.”
