Repsol Honda's Marquez On His First Non-Podium MotoGP Finish

Despite finishing in fourth at the recent bwin Grand Prix in the Czech Republic, Marc Marquez still maintains a 77-point lead in the standings over teammate Dani Pedrosa. whose victory allows the Repsol Honda team to continue its streak of wins this season.

The MotoGP World Champion and runaway standings leader had dropped to sixth off the start and was never able to get higher than third. A battle with former Moto2 rival Andrea Iannone on the Pramac Racing Ducati saw the two touch on two occasions. The battle cost Marquez time, allowing Repsol teammate Pedrosa and Movistar Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo to break away.

Then a mid-race battle between Marquez and Valentino Rossi set Marquez further behind. The Honda rider put up a tough fight but Rossi eventually overtook him. A gap then began to form and Marquez settled for fourth, his first time off the podium in a MotoGP race which he has finished.

Marquez remained characteristically upbeat after the race, saying, “Today was one of those Sundays in which I neither felt completely comfortable, nor had found the best setup for the bike. It wasn't down to a mistake by me or by the team, it was simply that we didn't have the same feeling as on other Sundays.”

He continued, “In a way it's taken a weight off my shoulders, as now people won't be asking me if I can win every race anymore. It was also important that we were able to focus on staying in fourth, even though it was tough not to be fighting for the win; we took 13 points which are important for the World Championship and we have a big advantage. What matters is who wins the title not who wins the most races.”