Marquez: Five MotoGP titles, but now I want more

With five MotoGP world titles in six years, Marc Marquez has joined an elite group of riders that have won multiple premier class crowns.

Now level with five-time 500 GP champion legend Mick Doohan, only Valentino Rossi (7) and fellow Italian great Giacomo Agostini (8) have won more at the highest level within the sport.

Few would bet against Marquez, still only 25, adding more titles to his haul after his latest triumph at Motegi in Japan, and the Spaniard - who now has seven world titles overall - says every top rider’s goal is to win the championship at the beginning of every season.

“I never thought about records because every season is different, but I have a two-year contract with Honda and these two years, I will try to fight for the championship,” he said.

“In the pre-season, I will work for another title and this is the way. I know that I will have the pressure, like all top riders, but all top riders are working to win the championship. If you finish second, it is a good season, but the goal is not achieved. As long as I stay here, I will try to increase this number.”

Marquez first rode a motorbike when he was only four years old but he admits he never imagined the success he has achieved would have been possible.

“It was impossible to imagine and I say every season it is a dream come true, but I’m living a dream. Of course, (being) a MotoGP rider is one thing, but every year to fight for the title, be there in the top positions and win the title, is something that nobody can imagine,” Marquez said.

“Even if you are a super talented rider and you are winning everything in the smallest category, you cannot imagine because in MotoGP are the best riders in the world and there are 19 races in a year, so it is so difficult to find the best level during all the season.”

The Spaniard’s championship victory was his third at Honda’s home circuit at Motegi in Japan and Marquez joked that his success in front of HRC bosses would mean ‘more budget’.

“It’s just for us, more budget! No, it’s a joke, but I think all the Honda factory was praying for me, especially for 2016, but already here for the title in Japan,” he said.

“Of course the Japanese staff will be very happy and today, after warm-up the President came to me and said ‘you need to do it’. And I said, ‘okay!’ I know it is important for them and when I have the pressure I’m working better and I like the pressure, so I like to have it and then it looks like I have more concentration.”