Marquez concentrated on ‘riding my own championship’, not finishing fourth

Following wins at COTA and Misano last time out, eight-time world champion Marc Marquez has a chance of claiming fourth in the championship. 

Despite missing the opening two races of the season, being less than 100% fit for every race he’s competed in and suffering many crashes aboard a less than favored Honda RC213V, Marquez lies ten points back of the Frenchman - seven behind Jack Miller in fifth. 

While unlikely, Marquez is not without a chance of taking third off Joan MIr, who like Miller crashed at Misano while Marquez went on to win. 

The Repsol Honda rider is 33 points behind his fellow Spaniard, so while not likely, it’s not impossible either. 

This has all come about due to Marquez’s much improved form in recent races - has not finished outside the top four since Silverstone. 

However, Marquez himself hasn’t changed his mindset heading into the final two rounds, instead focusing on ‘riding my own championship’ as he prepares for a title tilt in 2022. 

Asked whether fourth would be some type of victory given the year he’s had, Marquez said: "Just to myself, I’m riding my own championship. That means from Austria to here. From Austria to here in terms of points I’m not far from the best riders. 

"It's just a target inside the team and my mind to be motivated and to prepare well for the 2022 season. 

"It’s what I said in the summer break; it looks like I repeat a lot of times but I don’t feel comfortable on the bike, but step-by-step I feel better and better and the physical conditions are improving. 

"So as soon as the physical condition improves, then the results are coming. 

"Also HRC is working in a very good way. Me and Pol [Espargaro] are riding a different spec Hondas and here it was working well. 

"The second part of this season is about trying to prepare well for the 2022 season."