Marc Marquez admits he will not settle for low positions if he is able to push hard during this weekend’s MotoGP finale in Valencia despite a fourth premier class title being on the line.
The Honda rider comes into the 18th round of the year with a 21-point advantage over Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso – who kept his title hopes alive with a win in Malaysia two weeks ago – and needs just five more points than the Italian to secure his fourth MotoGP crown in five years.
Despite the comfortable margin he has in the standings ahead of the title showdown, Marquez is refusing to change his approach to the race and is aiming to give his ‘100 per cent’.
“Of course, it’s difficult (the championship pressure) but it’s not my way to ride,” said the Spaniard.
“During the weekend I will push like always, I will try to do our 100 per cent.
“But, then, after warm-up we will see where we are, where is Dovi, where is the level of the other riders, and then we will decide.
“Anyway, I will not go out and (say) ‘10th place is OK, 11th or ninth.’
“I will go out and try to find the feeling with the bike and try to give my 100 per cent, and try to enjoy the race.
“This is the most important thing.”
Title rival Dovizioso – who has never won at Valencia in any class – needs to win on Sunday and hope Marquez finishes outside of the top 11 to secure a maiden MotoGP championship and a first for Ducati in 10 years.
Admitting that his chances are slim, Dovizioso feels no pressure as a result heading into the weekend, and has expressed his delight at an unlikely season for himself and Ducati.
“I’m so happy and so proud to make what we did, this championship, because we start with a good position in the first round, but after we struggle a little bit,” Dovizioso said.
“But, from Mugello, we become very competitive. So, some up and down, but we are able to arrive in the last round and fight still for the championship.
“21 points is a lot, it’s very difficult, but still it’s open.
“We have just one strategy: try to win the race, and wait (to see) what Marc can do.
“But I don’t feel a lot of pressure, because I’m so happy about this season because I know very well what we did.
“I know very well the positive and negative things from our bike.
“So I’m so happy about the results that we did until now.”
