Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez secured his second consecutive victory in the 2014 season over the weekend, at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. The 21-year-old Spaniard went on from pole position to an unchallenged win.
His chief rival, dual-world champion Jorge Lorenzo, once again faltered, making a rare error in jumping the start, just as the red lights illuminated. The factory Yamaha rider was subsequently handed a ride-through penalty, which he served at the conclusion of the first lap, throwing him to the back of the grid in an instant. In the end, Lorenzo finished tenth place, scoring six points.
At the opening round of the championship in Qatar, Lorenzo made a lightning start to claim an early lead over Marquez, however crashed out of the race, allowing his younger compatriot to go on and claim the win.
Austin, Texas was where Marquez emerged as the youngest ever race winner in the premier class twelve months ago and since then has gone on to win the 2013 championship in his rookie year, pipping Lorenzo in the final race by four points. In 2014, the factory Honda rider only looks stronger and already has a firm lead in the championship.
In his championship year, one of Marquez’s advantages were that he went through the season unscathed, while teammate Dani Pedrosa and rival Lorenzo both suffered injuries which sidelined them for a few races. The youngster will hope he can repeat his luck from last year as he chases his second world title in as many years in MotoGP.
Lorenzo and certainly Yamaha will be hoping they can hit back at their Honda rivals as early as the next round in Argentina. Currently some of the issues faced by the Yamaha squad is how poorly their bikes are responding on the 2014-spec Bridgestone tyres.
Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi slipped backwards in Austin because of severe degradation to his front tyre.
The next few races will be crucial in the championship, despite being such an early stage. Both Honda and Yamaha riders’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the year and the spotlight will definitely be on Pedrosa, Rossi and Lorenzo. Already there have been some rumours circulating of Lorenzo’s interest in Ducati. Rossi meanwhile said the first six races will decide his future in the premier class.
Interesting times lie ahead in the 2014 MotoGP championship. Is it already safe to say Marquez will retain the crown? Or will we see his teammate and the Yamaha duo push hard for the throne?
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