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Marc Marquez won his 90th MotoGP victory last Sunday at Termas de Rio Honda, joining Angel Nieto in third place among all-time victorious riders, only bettered by Valentino Rossi (115) and Giacomo Agostini (123). Does the legendary Ago see his record being challenged?
"Let's hope not. I certainly don't wish him to succeed in that," he replied, with his usual irony, during an interview granted to La Repubblica. "In the unfortunate event that he does succeed one day, I won't be at all happy. But I will congratulate him. He deserves it."
Marquez seems like he's back to being the cannibal he once was, with one goal ... to win.
"This year, he's aiming to win his ninth world championship and catch up with Rossi," Giacomo commented. "If he succeeds, the next goal will be his tenth. He won't think about anything else. But we'd all do the same. Winning is great."
Winning makes people dislike you.
"He's a champion, and I don't understand why there's so much hatred towards him," Agostini said, telling off a fringe of fans. "The criticism, the controversy. Did he argue with Rossi? Those are personal matters. They should stay off the circuit."
Everyone was expecting a heated rivalry between Marquez and Bagnaia but, for now, the Italian rider has failed to keep up with him on the track.
"Bagnaia is a champion. What kind of questions are those? You don't win two world championships by chance," the 15-time world champion emphasized. "Pecco is someone who prefers to do things slowly. He's not in a hurry. He wants to have everything under control. Like him, I was meticulous. I had a great sensitivity in riding. I wanted to control the smallest of details. I didn't get anxious. Mike Hailwood, on the other hand ... you'd give him any bike, and he'd go really fast, right away. Unbelievable. If we had swapped them, before a race, he would've done the same time with mine. Instead, with his, I would've gone a second slower."
According to Ago, Bagnaia will get there, but Marquez will be a tough nut to crack.
"If it were up to him, he'd win all forty-four races on the schedule, without leaving any crumbs behind. He'll try. You can bet on it. But you don't have to hate him for that. In his place, you'd do the same. Don't forget that, last year, that guy said good-bye to the world's biggest engine company to start over with a satellite team. Wounded inside, like an animal, and with only one thought ... to take it all back," he concluded.
