MotoGP, Pablo Nieto on Marquez's 90 wins: 'proud that he remembers my father'

After dominating the weekend at Buriram, Marc Marquez replicated in Argentina by reaching the 90-win mark of one of his prestigious compatriots, Angel Nieto, who was active from 1964 to 1986 and had 13 world titles in his pocket. Ahead of the Ducati Lenovo rider, therefore, now remain only two names. The closest is Valentino Rossi, on 115, while the second, slightly further away, is Giacomo Agostini who has achieved 122 career successes.

Current VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto did not seem at all bothered by seeing his compatriot achieve such a result. "That my father is remembered and back in the news is always good. Records are made to be broken and in this case the rider who managed to equal him is very significant and prestigious, so I thank him for remembering and congratulate him," were his words to AS.

Equally sporting is the spirit of Fonsi Nieto, grandson of the Spanish two-wheel legend and now coach for the Prima Pramac team. "It's a source of pride that someone like Marc has achieved as many triumphs as my uncle, because it shows how good Angel was. It has to be said, though, that back then there was a lot less racing than today when we have 22 events on the calendar. However, the 'magicians' are the only ones who can boast of such figures, and from up there I think he is proud that it was Marc who did it. He really liked the good ones."

Remembering Nieto as a rider and not a member of the family, the 46-year-old revealed, "What I remember is what he told me. He was very skillful, smart and sometimes aggressive. Many of the races he won, he won them before he even got on the track, and I think Marquez also has this gift" .

The similarity between the two is not just about numbers. "The love for the sport unites them, otherwise you don't achieve so much. For my uncle, motorcycle racing was life, a passion, and also he loved the fans. Like Marquez he always wanted to finish first and that is what distinguishes born winners. You can see it in their eyes. Secondly, they have the same malice and completeness. It only takes one shortcoming to fail to achieve such goals."