Marc Marquez rewrites the history books again to secure eighth title

IN 2018, The PTT Grand Prix of Thailand was voted the best Grand Prix of the year, and this year it will be no different.

A race long battle between the championship leader and young Frenchman Fabio Quartararo ended on the last corner of the last lap with a stunning move on the inside by the Repsol Honda rider to secure his second consecutive victory at the Buriram circuit, but also wrap up his sixth premier class title.

Drama started before the race had even begun, with Pramac Ducati’s Jack Miller stalling on the grid meaning he would have to start his race from pit lane.

As tensions mounted the lights went out, the Frenchman leading the field into the first turn after starting on pole, however Marquez was not far behind, tangling with Quartararo’s teammate Franco Morbidelli, loosing a few hundredths through the first sector.

The race soon settled down with the leading pair trading fastest laps but with the rookie still keeping his lead with Marquez hot on his heels.

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales who had been strong all weekend dropped out of contention early on as he continues his struggles in the early stages of the race when the bike has a full fuel tank.

At half race distance, Marquez had pulled the pin and was in full on stalking mode, pulling in the gap to Quartararo lap by lap, matching his movements and shadowing the back wheel of the Petronas Yamaha.

Quartararo responded by putting down a succession of blistering laps to keep the pressure on Marquez to keep up.

Finally on lap 23, Marquez made his move at turn three but ran wide, allowing Quartararo back ahead and loosing precious time.

On the final lap, Marquez tried again, same corner, same move. This time it stuck, but with Quartararo flying through the last sector all weekend, the Frenchman made an impressive dive under Marquez going into turn 12.

He wasn’t able to stick the apex and Marquez pulled inside to power his Honda away down the start/finish straight to a spectacular victory.

Vinales held on and managed a fairly distant third, with Dovizioso taking fourth from a pushing Alex Rins and Franco Morbidelli.

Marc Marquez took the Championship with four races remaining in 2019 as the teams pack up and head to Japan for the sixteenth round. With the next round being two weeks away, I’m sure the cervezas will be flowing in the Repsol Honda garage tonight!

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Written by

James Warren

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