‘When he’s not fast, he fights for the podium’

Of all Marc Marquez’s strengths that have carried him to the verge of a fifth MotoGP world championship at the age of 25, it has been his consistency over the past 14 races that has stood out above all else.

That’s the view of Andrea Dovizioso and Maverick Viñales, two of the Repsol Honda rider’s rivals, who believe that has been the crucial factor in the 2018 championship race.

Marquez has a whopping 77 points in hand over Dovizioso at the summit of the championship. With just 100 left in play, the Catalan knows he can wrap up a seventh world title on Sunday by simply finishing ahead of the lead Ducati.

Aside from an ill-judged attempt at riding through the field in Argentina, and an early front-end fall at Mugello, Marquez has been close to flawless in the other twelve races, racking up seven wins, four seconds and a single third. 

It was this consistency and ability to fight at the front, even when bike performance or set-up was not at its best, that “makes the difference” in Dovizioso’s eyes.

“Well it’s difficult to say one,” said Dovizioso, when asked what Marquez’s strongest trait has been through 2018.

“Marc is very strong in a lot of areas. But like I said in one interview one of his best points is where he is not too fast, he’s able to fight for, minimum, the podium. Especially the championship we’re in now, that makes the difference.”

Viñales, who has only occasionally offered up stiff opposition to his fellow Catalan through a trouble-hit campaign, concurred.

“As Dovi said, I think the consistency this year is the key to be in that position,” said the Movistar Yamaha man. “And yeah, he's strong in nearly every area, so I think this year the consistency was the point.”

Alex Rins, who went toe-to-toe with Marquez in a vintage outing at Assen, also made a point of commending his rival’s fighting instincts.

“I think he’s a really strong rider and he fights a lot. So this is one of his strongest points,” said Rins.