Marc Márquez is one of MotoGP’s hottest young prospects. After becoming the youngest Spanish rider to stand on the 125cc World Championship podium in his debut season in 2008, he has been earning rave reviews this year with some spectacular displays for Red Bull. But while the 16-year-old from Cervera has made mistakes along the way, he knows he is on a steep learning curve and is on the way to becoming one of the world’s top riders.
How do you feel after your second year in the 125cc World Championship?
I go into the holidays with good feelings, as I think that I've had a good season. I've made some mistakes I shouldn't have made, but I've done my very best with what I had.
Your one and only top-three finish of the season came in Jerez, did you expect more podium finishes?
Yes, I did. I thought we were strong. By the end of the season, the KTM bike was closer to the Aprilias and we did expect a podium or two. I think we could have got those which would have been great.
What have you learned this season?
The thing I’ve learned above all else this year is to battle. There’s always jostling in the pack and you have to be ready for it. Furthermore, with the bike I was racing, I had to learn to make the most of the turns to come out fast.
What’s your best memory of the 2009 World Championship?
My podium in Jerez. It was my best result of the season and it came in front of all my home fans, at one of the sport’s most famous circuits. I also have good memories of the pole positions, especially the one in Malaysia.
What would you most like to forget about the 2009 campaign?
The falls. Fortunately, this year I haven't had any injuries.
The 125cc category is always competitive. What does it take to stand out from the rest of the pack?
Apart from being a fast rider, obviously, you need a good bike and team package. In such a tight category, the margins are so small - tenths of a second make all the difference. You have to be ambitious. You need someone to give you good advice. You also have to be decisive on the track and come out of the turns fast to pick up speed.
We’ve seen you grow as a rider as well as physically over the last two years. Do you still carry a ballast?
Nowadays, I hardly carry a ballast and you only really notice it when changing direction. At circuits like Brno it's a lot easier to move the bike. But, now that I weigh more and have filled out a bit, it is easier for me to move the bike more forcibly and I can lean more. Little by little I've changed my riding style to gain more traction and lift the bike earlier in the turns.
You used to share the Repsol KTM team garage with this year’s world champion, Julián Simón. What do you make of his success?
He was the clear winner, he deserved it. He was very consistent and, in many races, he didn't leave any options open, clocking up a very fast pace from the first day. We have to congratulate him. He showed he’s an outstanding rider as he never let himself be weighed down by the pressure that was on him.
Which race did you most enjoy?
Donington Park, where I was battling for the podium. Jerez, too. I enjoyed the races where I was up fighting it out at the front.
Who will be your main rivals next year?
We’ll have to wait and see what happens in pre-season. But, like this year, I think there will probably be quite a few. I expect Bradley Smith, Nico Terol and Pol Espargaró to be strong contenders along with one or two others. We'll try and be in the fight, too.
With KTM pulling out, what do you expect from your first outing with Aprilia?
I hope to adapt as quickly as possible. From what Julio [Simón] has told me, it will be easier for me to adapt coming from KTM because the chassis is similar, but I'll have to try it. The engine is more constant and that was the biggest difference on the track because it always seemed to perform well, so we'll have to get a lot of testing under our belts to understand it fully.
Where do you need to improve to win races and fight for the title?
I think that my weakest point is consistency. It is important to finish races because that's where you gain experience. It can then help you win races and go for the title. You also have to constantly make improvements to your riding style.
What are you looking for in 2010?
Even though I haven't tried the new bike and don't know how I will adapt, I’m pretty sure that I can have a good year. I will start the season determined to fight for the podium and be out in front. But, first of all, we have to concentrate on putting in a good pre-season and adapting. That will allow us to go on and have a good year.
What will you do between now and the start of the 2010 World Championship?
I’m going on holiday before starting some physical training. I’ll also be training on a motocross bike to make sure I’m on top form by the time testing starts. Now the season is over, I’ve got to pack in plenty of studying. I can also spend more time with my family and friends.
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