MotoGP™: Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team /Michelin) triumphs in Thailand

Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team /Michelin) made history by winning the first MotoGPTM grand prix to be held in Thailand. The Spaniard won the PTT Thailand Grand Prix (Round 15 of the 2018 world championship) after a superb duel with Andrea Dovizioso (2nd, Ducati Team /Michelin). Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Michelin) was third.  

Márquez enjoyed a grand slam weekend in Thailand where he collected pole position, the fastest race lap and the day’s win to claim Thailand’s first ever MotoGPTM grand prix.

The reigning champ did his chances of retaining the title a world of good by getting away to a strong start. Five laps into the 26-lap race, however, he fell back to third, leaving Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Michelin) to battle at the sharp end with Dovizioso.

When the latter made his move to pass the Yamaha rider, Márquez took advantage of the situation to split the two Italians.

Spectators were then treated to a thrilling scrap for supremacy between Dovizioso and Márquez as the Spaniard made several attempts to recover the lead, but the Ducati star defended well. It was only on the last lap that Márquez finally succeeded in finding a way through to cross the line a mere 115 thousandths of a second ahead of Dovizioso.

Viñales, who had qualified fifth, managed to pass team-mate Rossi and move up to third on Lap 20. He went on to secure his first podium finish since July’s German Grand Prix.

Rossi was fourth past the flag, chased by fellow Yamaha runner Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / Michelin) who took the day’s best independent team rider prize.

The top 10 was rounded out by Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) / Michelin), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda / Michelin), Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team / Michelin), Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing / Michelin) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing / Michelin).

The hot weather saw practically all the riders opt for hard-compound tyres front and rear. Only six chose the medium front, while Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Michelin) ran a soft rear.

The result has taken Márquez further clear at the top of the provisional championship standings, 77 and 99 points clear of Dovizioso and Rossi respectively with four rounds to go.

Next round: Japanese Grand Prix, Motegi (October 19-21).