Marquez ‘no problem’ with Phillip Island DNF repeat after taking title

Marc Marquez has shrugged off the coincidence of a third retirement during the Australian MotoGP race directly after sealing the world title the round before in Japan and had been confident of having the pace to win at Phillip Island.

The Repsol Honda rider added a third DNF to his 2014 and 2016 es at the Australian track – which have all come immediately after securing the MotoGP world title early at Mogeti – when he was hit from the rear by Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Johann Zarco in a high-speed clash and was forced to stop due to damage to his seat, exhaust and rear fairing.

Marquez puts the run down to bad luck but feels if he can wrap up future MotoGP world titles early before failing to finish in Australia he would take it every time.

“Okay, unlucky again, but if next year, if I can win the title again in Japan and again, zero points? I would sign,” Marquez said. “No problem.”

The seven-time world champion was confident of his race pace at the Australian track and felt the race would have played into his favour had he not been taken out on the fourth lap.

“I had the pace, I was concentrated and with more temperature normally our bike is working better, so I felt like we were able to fight for the victory,” Marquez said. “The start was not so good, but then suddenly I was in the front.

“Then I led for two or three laps, and then I said, now it’s time to be back in the group, and I went wide on purpose, I go wide in Turn 4 just to be behind, because I don’t want to lead the group. And then yeah, I had the .”

Marquez’s chequered history at Phillip Island continues with his third retirement during his MotoGP career to go alongside victories in 2015 and 2017 plus his infamous disqualification in the 2013 race remembered for the mandatory pit stop due to Bridgestone tyre concerns.