Marquez: 2019 results, performances not normal

Marc Marquez may have faced very few troubles during his dominant 2019 MotoGP campaign but he is starting to worry about a new problem when his record-breaking feats are expected every season.

The Repsol Honda rider produced statistically his best-ever year in MotoGP by notching up 420 points, a new season record, along with 12 wins, 10 pole positions while appearing on the podium in 18 out of 19 races.

While Marquez accepts and revels in his achievements in 2019, having wrapped up the riders’ world title back in Thailand with four races to spare, he underlines his season “is not normal” to a typical title charge and shouldn’t be automatically expected in the future.

“It was the best season and also the season I enjoyed the most. When the results are coming then you celebrate well,” Marquez said.

“The problem is now the people get used to these kind of results and this is not normal. The normal thing is win six or seven races in the season, if you want to win the title, and then you try to be there on the podium and see some mistakes.”

The eight-time world champion has also been quick to credit his entire Repsol Honda crew and singled out team manager Alberto Puig after the last race of the season.

Marquez has revealed that Puig had been keeping the pressure cranked up on the 26-year-old even when he moved into a dominant points lead midway through the year.

“Of course the opponents are waiting to see where I will make some mistakes, but I am proud of my team and the people around me keep the same mentality. Especially Alberto, who was pushing a lot as team manager,” he said. “Even when I was leading the championship by 80 points he was pushing like hell.

“This last race again he complained to me that I needed to be focused [after ing in FP4]. This is the best way for a rider. Of course you need to keep the pressure and of course I hate when somebody beats me. Then it is news.”

Looking towards 2020, Marquez has refused to rule out a MotoGP title challenge from any of his rivals until he can assess their pace after winter testing.

“But maybe next season the guy on my left side of the guy on my right side will beat me in many races and they will be tough contenders for the championship,” he said. “It is racing, it is competition, it is MotoGP and it is the best thing. But this season we enjoyed a lot.”

Marquez is joined by his younger brother and newly-crowned Moto2 world champion Alex Marquez at Repsol Honda next season following the shock retirement of Jorge Lorenzo.

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