Marc Marquez defeated his brother Alex to win the Argentina MotoGP, continuing his perfect season start and achieving his 90th grand prix victory. Marquez leads the standings with 74 points as he pursues a seventh world title. Despite Alex’s strong performance, he finished second, expressing optimism for future races. The event was attended by a record crowd of 209,000 fans, though notable absences included elite riders like Jorge Martin.
Marc Marquez triumphed over his younger brother Alex at the Argentina MotoGP held at Termas de Río Hondo, continuing his flawless start to the season. This victory marked Marquez’s first time winning the first two races of the season since 2014, replicating his impressive performance from Thailand a fortnight ago. His return to the circuit, where he secured his third win in 2019, culminated in his 90th career grand prix win.
Displaying an exceptional performance aboard the factory Ducati, Marquez now leads the riders’ standings with 74 points in pursuit of his seventh world title, which would equal Valentino Rossi’s record. The 32-year-old Spaniard dominated the event, clocking a track record to secure pole position and confirming his supremacy in both the sprint and main race amidst a record turnout of 209,000 fans at the venue.
In the race, Marc Marquez outpaced Alex initially, but Alex took a lead on lap four, reminiscent of his strategy from Thailand. Halfway through the 25-lap race, Alex was clear of Marc, sparking hopes of his first MotoGP victory on his 94th attempt. Despite a minor wobble, Marc regained strength and closed the gap with eight laps remaining, leading to an intense conclusion.
Marc made a crucial overtaking move on lap 18 but faced strong resistance from Alex. Ultimately, with five laps to go, Marc seized control and secured the victory. He expressed admiration for Alex’s performance, acknowledging the difficulty of competing against his brother. Morbidelli finished third, completing the podium on a Ducati.
Post-race, Marc shared his joy at matching the legendary Angel Nieto’s 90 grand prix wins, describing it as an honor. Although Alex fell short again, finishing as runner-up for the fourth time this season, he stated, “It was impossible to keep him behind,” remaining hopeful for his potential first win. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia, winner of the last two seasons, finished fourth, trailing Marc significantly.
Notably, competitor Miguel Oliveira withdrew from the race after an earlier incident, although he suffered no fractures. The reigning champion Jorge Martin missed the event due to lingering injuries from Thailand, prompting fans to voice their support.
In conclusion, Marc Marquez’s victory in Argentina underscores his current dominance in the MotoGP. With a perfect start to the season and a record 90th win under his belt, he remains the frontrunner in the championship. Despite his younger brother Alex’s commendable effort, Marc’s experience ultimately prevailed. The race also highlighted the absence of several key competitors, adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing season.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
