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MotoGP, Marc Marquez: seven titles in seven shots

PHOTO GALLERY - From his first title in 125 to his latest at Motegi, by way of that Rossi pass at the Laguna Seca Corkscrew and magic during the flag to flag

MotoGP: Marc Marquez: seven titles in seven shots

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Marc Marquez celebrated his seventh world title at Motegi. The #93 rider's career is already one to frame, yet he has no intention of setting himself any limits for the future. To mark his success, the Honda has chosen seven images that represent his world championship career to date, starting with his first title with Derbi in 125. Victory came at Valencia, but even more memorable was his recovery during the penultimate race at Estoril where, following a red flag, he climbed from sixteenth to first, ahead of Terol.

He went one better two years later, at Valencia, in his second Moto2 season. On that occasion, the Spaniard was penalised and forced to start from the last row. Despite race direction's decision, come Sunday Marc cut through the field to reach the highest step of the podium in front of his home crowd at Ricardo Tormo.

Honda's decision to entrust him with a factory bike in the reigning class at the tender age of 20 seemed rather a risky one, but Marc quickly removed any doubt, winning the title in his debut season. His victories made a mark, the first at Austin, but his passes were something else. It's impossible to forget his move on Rossi through the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca.

The Spanish phenomenon appears to be a war machine, the following year only serving to confirm this, when he scored ten consecutive wins between Losail and Indianapolis. His winning streak came to an end at Brno, when he was forced to settle for fourth. In those years, we knew him for his victories and his on-the-limit braking as well as for his elbow and shoulder on the ground. There were crashes too of course, like that in qualifying at Assen, when he borrowed photographer Tino Martino's scooter to race back to the garage and change bike.

As well as his speed, Marc has also sharpened his technique, applying a good dose of cunning and strategy, so much so that he is known as the king of the flag to flag. One example might be the 2016 Sachsenring race, or Brno in 2017, when he anticipated the bike change, running away with both wins. All ingredients that have contributed to his greatness, and seen him receive his seventh title last week.   

Translated by Heather Watson
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