Marc Márquez reconfirms in Qatar what has been clear for days

BarcelonaThe accident suffered by Marc Márquez (Ducati) in the Grand Prix of the Americas was just that, an accident. The rider from Cervera made up for the mistake that caused him to retire in Texas and is once again leading the MotoGP World Championship with an iron fist after winning the Qatar GP, the fourth of the season. Victory in the sprint race on Saturday was the prelude to victory in the big race this Sunday at the Losail circuit, where despite starting from the pole He had to wait until the second half of the race to secure first place until the checkered flag. Six years after his last World Championship victory, Márquez leaves Doha feeling like he has the best bike and more motivation than anyone to regain glory. He was joined on the podium by fellow Catalan Maverick Viñales (KTM), the evening's main event, and his teammate Pecco Bagnaia. Viñales was subsequently penalized 16 seconds (and therefore relegated to 14th place) for low tire pressure.

The race was exciting from the very beginning. Marc Márquez started from the pole and his brother Àlex, who took a big risk at the start, pushed him back slightly in the first corners. Parts of his bike flew through the air. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) took advantage of the moments of indecision caused by this family incident to take advantage of the opportunity to take the lead. In these early stages, Bagnaia also rode at a very good pace around the Losail circuit, even relegating Márquez to third place. But in a great exercise of endurance and strategy, the Catalan champion held off the leading group and gradually undermined the morale of his rivals as the laps passed, aware that fuel and tire management play as much or more of a decisive role than riding skill. It wasn't the most spectacular version of the Cerverí rider that triumphed, but rather the most calculating.

Three out of four and more wins than Nieto

The first to fall from the fight was Morbidelli, who finished fourth. Then, Márquez, who let Viñales enjoy the lead for a few minutes, eliminated Bagnaia's competition. And finally, with seven laps remaining, the rider from Lleida overtook the rider from Figueretas, who made several mistakes on the line due to tire wear. From that moment on, it was plain sailing for the six-time MotoGP champion, who managed the advantage without incident and celebrated the finish with former Real Madrid player Joselu Mato waving the checkered flag. On the final straight, Márquez slapped his helmet with his hand, aware that keeping a cool head helped him secure a victory that reaffirms him as the main favorite to lift the World Championship. Of the four GPs contested, he has won three. There is no more serious candidate to replace Jorge Martín (Aprilia Gresini) than his. In fact, the Madrid native, who was racing with physical problems, crashed out.

With this victory at Losail, Márquez has 91 points as a professional, surpassing Ángel Nieto. He also consolidates his lead in the championship with 123 points, 19 ahead of his brother. The next race to test whether this year will be a success is next Sunday in Jerez.

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