20-year old Marc Marquez has been crowned the 2013 MotoGP World Champion in what he has called a ‘dream come true’.
At the age of 20 years and 266 days, Marquez is the youngest rider of all-time to win the world title in the premier class, taking the record from Freddie Spencer who was 21 years and 258 days of age when he won the 500 title in 1983, also riding a Honda and he is the fourth rider in the 65-year history of Grand Prix racing to win world titles in three different categories, along with: Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and Valentino Rossi.
His history breaking title sees him break numerous records in his rookie season: including 16 podiums – 6 of which were wins (COTA, Sachsenring, Laguna Seca, Indianapolis, Brno and Aragon) – nine pole positions as a rookie rider, he also become youngest rider to win a GP race and the youngest rider to start from pole and the youngest ever rider in the history of the premier class to claim both pole position and race victory and he also accumulated 334 points which is the greatest number of points ever achieved by a rookie in the premier class.
The Repsol Honda rider debuted in the premier class this season after winning the 2012 Moto2 championship, replacing two-time World champion Casey Stoner who retired.
The loss of such a valuable rider as Stoner to the Repsol Honda team was soon forgotten, as the rookie immediately made a huge splash in the series as he awed fans with his spectacular and on the limit riding style, an appealing personality along with a no holds barred attitude that cost him several penalty points along with finger shaking admonishments from the Race Direction.
He forced title rivals Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa to up their game and change their usual approach to racing in order to try to contain his fierce and forceful style, which also cost them broken a pair of fractured collarbones along the way, as he pushed them to the limit to win the greatest award, the 2013 MotoGP crown.
After taking his victory ride around the Ricardo Tormo circuit in front of more than 100,000 fans using Emilio Alzamora’s 1999 125cc championship flag (Marquez used the same flag when he won the 125cc and Moto2 titles) he said, You know…it is a dream that has come true! Maybe too early because I didn’t expect it in the first season of MotoGP! It feels so good.
” Talking about the race where he finished third Marquez said, “It was a really long race, maybe the longest of my career! At the start I was very nervous, I know I said I wasn’t but if I’m honest I really was.
Jorge had a very good start, as usual, and I wasn’t sure which tactic to take.
I followed Jorge and Dani and began to settle into the race.
Then towards the end, I decided not to push as I knew my position was secure and safe to take the Championship.
It has been a fantastic year, I am still in a dream! I really didn’t expect this at the beginning and I am really so very happy.
So thank you to all my team, my family and of course Honda and all our sponsors.
The support from everyone and all my fans around the World has been incredible and I dedicate this Championship to you all!”