VIDEO: Shaina interviews Marc Marquez
Earlier this year, we ran a popular interview by ten-year-old Indonesian MotoGP fan Shaina Salvia with Cal Crutchlow.
Happy Birthday Shaina ! My favourite interview by far from you in Malaysia & here it is ... https://t.co/ymcdG3bLK9 pic.twitter.com/lZg7bPhkg0-- Cal Crutchlow (@calcrutchlow) December 8, 2015
One of the many to compliment Shaina on her interview while at Sepang was none other than double MotoGP champion Marc Marquez - who suggested she interview him some time.
But when? The media demands placed on leading MotoGP riders mean one-to-one interviews are usually booked months in advance and this year there is only one pre-season test at Sepang, meaning riders won't be back until October's race.
Fortunately, Shaina spotted her chance when Marquez's Repsol Honda team held its official launch in her home country last Sunday. Rain failed to dampen the notorious enthusiasm of the Indonesian fans gathered at the Sentul International Circuit, with Shaina lucky enough to be given backstage access.
Both Marquez and team-mate Dani Pedrosa stopped to give Shaina a quick hug in-between their many launch obligations, but the young fan could only wait and hope her chance for an (unscheduled) interview would arise.
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| Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa spot Shaina (pic: Shaina's mum) |
Minutes turned into hours, by which time the launch program was almost over and a large coach was waiting to take the riders and team back to the airport... But then Marquez, looking a little tired after a long day of media engagements in the heat and humidity, waved Shaina in for her interview. The #93 held her voice recorder, while Shaina asked some questions she had prepared on a tablet.
We posted the Crutchlow interview as a birthday surprise for Shaina and she has asked if the Marquez interview can be published today, February 17, to celebrate the Spaniard's 23rd birthday.
Shaina's mum, Dian, filmed the interview which can be seen here (text below):
My first question is: A lot of bikes are using wings on their fairings. Do you think the RC213V for 2016 also needs wings - or is the wing on the Honda logo already enough?! (laughs)
Marc Marquez:
(Laughs). Yeah, Honda is working on this because of course Ducati started with the wings already a long time ago. A lot of years ago. But now Ducati start using them again, then also Yamaha have tried them and I know Honda is working on their wings in the wind tunnel. I don't know if we will use them or not. Depends on the result. Maybe it can be a very small help, but not a very big help I think.
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
The next question: What is the improvement on the 2016 bike, to make you fast again on the track?
Marc Marquez:
We change a little bit the engine to try to improve the character of the bike and we are working there. And also we will try some different set-up in the electronics, because now it's common software. Everybody has the same software, the same electronics, and we are trying to adjust to it.
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| Shaina interviews Marquez (pic: Shaina's mum) |
Ah ok, I have a little question, what is actually your favourite circuit?
Marc Marquez:
One of my favourite circuits is Phillip Island. It is really nice. And then Aragon, I also like a lot. And Austin. If there are some fast corners, I always like it.
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
Do you like in Indonesia?
Marc Marquez:
Indonesia... I did a few laps here at the Sentul International Circuit with a small bike and it looks like an interesting circuit, many changes of direction. Someday maybe we will come back with the MotoGP.
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| Shaina with Marquez's Honda (pic: Shaina's mum) |
Yeah, I hope also. [After looking around the room] so you like playing PS4?
Marc Marquez:
Yes, sometimes in my free time. We like playing the FIFA football game, some MotoGP, motorbike games, Formula 1 games. Always on PlayStation.
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
Same as my brother and me...
Marc Marquez:
Same, no? [Laughs] You are good?
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
Hmmm. Not really, but ...
Marc Marquez:
Your brother can beat you?
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
Yes.
Marc Marquez:
You will beat your brother, because you are really smart! [Puts finger to his head].
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
OK, thank you for the time.
Marc Marquez:
You're welcome, [gives Shaina a hug].
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| Shaina interviews Marquez (pic: Shaina's mum) |
And Happy Birthday for Wednesday.
Marc Marquez:
Thank you.
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
So now you will go to Phillip Island?
Marc Marquez:
Yeah, we are going now. At 8 at night we have the flight, for the next test.
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
I'm sorry I can't go there. I would like to go, but I need to go to school.
Marc Marquez:
Don't worry - and of course school is important, ok?!
Shaina Salvia A.S.:
Yes... [laughs]. Thank you very much
Marc Marquez:
Thank you. You're welcome.
Shaina actually had a few more questions on her tablet but, knowing Marquez had very little time available, was a little too anxious to ask them and just grateful to get the opportunity.
By the time the interview finished, Marquez's team was packed up and ready to go. But as he was leaving the circuit, Marquez ran back to Shaina, giving her a special cushion with his picture on and waiting for several more photographs:
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| Shaina with present from Marquez (pic: Shaina's mum) |
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
