SHRI RAM SHAW
NEW DELHI
There are many contenders in MotoGP event this year, but all eyes will be on the Catalan, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) who has six World Championship crowns in seven years under his belt. The event will begin on July 18 with the qualifying race followed by the main race next day in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Marquez has only missed one title since 2013, thanks to his 56 victories and 95 podiums. In 2019, he scored the most points in premier class history and finished outside of the top two just once in Austin. But 2020 could well be a game-changer.
Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) is one of the main contenders to Marquez’s throne to fancy his chances. Named top independent rider and Rookie of the Year in his debut year, the 21-year-old Frenchman demonstrated his class with six pole positions and seven podium finishes. He took the fight to Marc Marquez, most notably at Misano and Buriram, but the Spaniard always had his number.
With a full factory machine at his disposal this year, El Diablo might have enough to get the better of Marquez and finally take that much sought-after MotoGP win. Another rider determined to make Marc Marquez fail is Maverick Viñales. After two years in the doldrums, both Viñales and, in particular, Yamaha appeared to find the right path forward in 2019. A further boost of energy came throughout winter testing for 2020, when Viñales appeared to have it all covered: race pace, one-lap pace, a competitive package and bags of confidence.
Among Marquez’s major rivals this year will, of course, be Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team). Admittedly, the Italian will arrive at Jerez far from 100% after breaking his left collarbone just two weeks ago. He has been passed fit, but time will only tell how fit Dovi really is.
Let’s not forget that this year could mark Marquez’s ninth World Championship, and you can be guaranteed that the Italian will be trying his level best to stop his fierce rival from joining the ‘9 Club’. Marc Marquez should also be wary of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), another man with two successes to his name from 2019.
