MotoGP: Marquez out to secure triple crown

Marc Marquez says that despite securing the 2018 MotoGP title last time out at the Japanese Grand Prix, he’s still got work to do before the season finishes in his campaign to secure MotoGP’s triple crown. Healthily ahead in both teams’ and constructors’ awards, he says that the plan to deliver both to his Honda bosses means he can’t take too many risks just yet.

“It’s a great feeling to arrive in Australia with the title already won, and I really look forward to enjoying the end of the season. Of course, there are also the constructors and the teams’ titles to think of, so we’ll try to keep the same level of performance and win more races to achieve those goals as well, as they’re important for us and for Honda.

“I love Phillip Island; it’s a fast track that always favours race-long battles that are a great show for the fans. I just hope the weather will be good because it can change from sunny and warm to cold and windy in a matter of hours. Anyway, we’ll see; we’ll definitely try to be at the front and have fun.”

But while Marquez can relax to an extent with the title won, there’s another Honda rider out to try and take another victory at Phillip Island, with 2016 winner Cal Crutchlow aiming to do the double despite expecting stiff opposition.

“We’ll try our best in Phillip Island, whatever happens we try our best at any race. I think this place is one of the favourite circuits for all of us riders, and that means there are ten people with a realistic chance of taking victory here this weekend, including ourselves. The only problem with that is that after winning the MotoGP World Championship in Japan, Marc Marquez has nothing to lose!

“As for going for fourth in the championship, my goal was originally to finish top six, and we’re currently fifth, and although Maverick is good at these final three races we will do our best to get top four. If I never had the three DNFs that I’ve had we would be right up there. Those races are gone now, and we just have to look forward to the next race and see what it brings.”