Marquez: It's going to be an interesting championship

Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez is expecting an 'interesting' championship battle after the MotoGP world champion toasted his third straight premier class victory in the Austin MotoGP on Sunday.

Marquez saw off Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso and Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi to return to winning ways after finishing fifth in the season opener in Qatar following a mistake at the first corner.

The 22-year-old was relieved with the result as he made amends for his error at Losail and with Dovizioso and Rossi on the rostrum again at the Circuit of the Americas, Marquez feels both riders will be in the title hunt this season.

"I'm happy for his victory after Qatar - we know it was a mistake at the first corner [that thwarted his chances of the podium] but always you have a question mark inside of you," he said.

"I felt really good this weekend and I was really concentrated on the race but it was difficult in the beginning because after all the rain on this track it changed, but then when I began to feel more like I did in the practice I pushed, I opened a gap and I managed it.

"It looks like it will be an interesting championship because Valentino and Andrea are really consistent. After what happened in Qatar it was time to come back to the top and try to recover some points, but anyway I am happy because I felt good with the bike and this result gives us confidence for the next race," he added.

"It is hard to enjoy this victory because already we have to start thinking about Argentina and last year it was a difficult race because it was hard to understand the tarmac well, but it was a good weekend and we will try to be competitive there.

"Of course, it will be more difficult than here but we will try to be strong from practice one."

Marquez said that he couldn't talk about the technical problem he suffered in qualifying, but did confirm that he had used a third engine today (of the five allowed for this season) as a precaution.