Márquez and Espargaró intensify battle

Marc Márquez followed up his debut World Championship win at Mugello two weeks ago with a second 125cc win at Silverstone on Sunday, showing great determination as he and his Tuenti Racing rival Pol Espargaró became separated from the rest of the pack as they battled for top spot, with last-lap overtakes and even touches marking what was a fantastic contest.

“Mugello was like a dream but now this second victory in the next race is even more so. The most important thing was the hard work of the team, who were fantastic this weekend and the result is this victory,” said Márquez, who now sits third in the standings on 82 points.

“The last lap was incredible, the whole lap! Espargaró and I passed one another I think four times, and in the end I got the victory which is so important for the Championship and for my morale.”

The race was won for Márquez when Espargaró ran wide at Turn 16 as the pair again went side by side during a rousing finale. Espargaró explained: “I made a mistake. I braked so hard but I hit a bump and I lost the front end.”

Managing to get back on track and with more than a ten-second advantage over the chasing pack, the 19 year-old’s second place was enough to take the Championship lead by a single point ahead of Nico Terol, and he now has 99 points after five rounds.

“It’s great because we finished the race and that is so important for the Championship,” he stated. “The last lap was difficult, we did the best we could with a clean job and we will see what happens in the next race. I think we can do a good job and take more points, and that is the most important thing.”

Another brilliant contest now awaits as in just five days the pair will take to the track again for the TIM TT Assen.

“Assen is always a little bit difficult for me and last year was a little bit hard, but with this bike it’s completely different,” said Márquez, who placed tenth last year at the circuit. “I think if we make a good start and work like we have here then we can stay with the front group in the race.”

Espargaró finished one place higher at the Dutch track last season, and he too is aiming for another strong result as the pressure at the top continues to build. “I like the track but last year was not so good. We must improve and get a better result,” he added.