---
title: "Marquez hails ‘amazing’ Dovizioso battle"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/10/15/marquez-hails-amazing-dovizioso-battle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-10-15T11:02:08Z"
modified: "2017-10-15T11:12:33Z"
---

# Marquez hails ‘amazing’ Dovizioso battle

Marc Marquez hailed his Japanese MotoGP battle with Andrea Dovizioso as ‘amazing’ despite coming out second-best after a failed last-gasp move at the final corner.

The Spaniard took the lead of the race on the 13th laps after moving ahead of Danilo Petrucci, but soon found nearest title rival Dovizioso close behind him.![](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/10/59e31ae5287e94.27782113.jpg)

The Italian tried several times to moved ahead of Marquez, but the Honda rider continually returned the favour and looked to have the win secure on the final lap as Dovizioso hit grip troubles.

A mistake at Turn 8 allowed Dovizioso to reel him in and pass him into Turn 11, but Marquez – as he did at the Red Bull Ring in August – tried a move at the final corner.

Once again unable to make the pass stick, Marquez – who retains an 11-point championship lead – was nevertheless satisfied with the result at a circuit he expected a strong Ducati challenge at.

“It’s amazing to fight the way we did today in rain conditions,” enthused Marquez, who tallied up his 100th career podium in Japan.

“For me it was OK, second place, because in the end we are ahead in the championship, but I take a lot of risk.

“We new before this race track it will be difficult, because here normally Ducati, especially Dovizioso, they are very, very fast ever year.

“I push, I take a risk in a few laps, but I saw that also Dovi was able to be very fast.

“The mistake on Turn 8, I already start to feel my bike was shaking because the slipstream of Dovi, and he overtook me on Turn 11 beccause he was strong on the brake points.

“I was very far, but I say ‘OK, I try last corner and we’ll see.’ We repeat the same situation like Austria, but was great.”![](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/10/59e31a19cf82e9.58475388.jpg)

Marquez admits this year’s championship will be ‘tough’ to win because of Dovizioso’s consistency across the season and his speed in all conditions.

“The championship is very, very close,” he said.

“I already say in Spain, somebody start to say ‘OK, it’s (the title battle) almost done.’ It’s not done.

“I was 16 points (in the lead), now I am 11. This is very tough to win.

“Also Dovi is very consistent, very fast. In rain conditions also he is very, very strong, and Australia, Malaysia, Valencia can be rain conditions too.

“So the most important is that in each conditions we are there, so we will try to manage in the best way.”