MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
P84
ROUND 4 / MAY 3-5, 2019
CIRCUITO DE JEREZ / JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN
their own problems. Marquez
was able to back off on the final
lap to win by better than 1.5
seconds. Compatriots Alex Rins
(Ecstar Suzuki) and Maverick
Vinales (Monster Yamaha) com-
pleted the top three.
"It was more difficult mentally
than physically," said Mar-
quez who had crashed out of
a strong lead at the previous
round and was anxious to prove
a point to his rivals. "But I am
confident in my ability and my
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE
F
ine weather, a sun-
soaked crowd of more
than 75,000 and an all-
Spanish MotoGP podium party
made an exceptional climax to
a record-breaking weekend of
racing at Jerez.
It hadn't always looked so
rewarding, with a premier-class
procession for the first third
or so of the 25-lapper. But it
came alive as the race wore on,
as tire wear, tactics and talent
took control.
By that stage, the indomita-
ble Marc Marquez had already
gone. The Repsol Honda rider
led into the first corner, narrow-
ly held off the early pursuit from
surprise front-row companions,
the satellite Yamaha riders, pole
sitter Fabio Quartararo and sec-
ond-placed Franco Morbidelli,
then eased away masterfully
even before they had run into
Normal Service
