MotoGP: Marc Marquez crowned in Valencia.

Marc Marquez’s entry into the 2013 MotoGP season was not marked by any unusual fanfare or celebration. It should have been! For those in the know, they were anticipating magical moments, but, considering the boots he was assigned to fill at Repsol Honda – those of, arguably, Australia’s best crotch-rocket expert to date – Casey Stoner, a room must have been booked to house disappointment when it arrived. The need did not arise, the room remained empty all season!

The year 2013 will be remembered as Marquez’s rookie year and my God, what a year it has been. I would want to believe that, a series which commands the status of MotoGP, would have clearly defined rules and accepted protocols governing the behavior and performance of rookies. I am fully aware that during their first season, rookies are kept on their knees, giving thanks to the MotoGP god, for the wonderful opportunity faith has bestowed upon them. So it requires no stretch of the imagination to understand that seat-time would be of extreme importance before the podium finishes would arrive !

MotoGP

Apparently, Marquez did not peruse the MotoGP handbook or for inexplicable reasons, he was not privy to the intimate details which essentially compel rookies to accept and conform to the pecking order in the food chain. Rookies are required to knock at the door, take two steps backwards, then wait. At some point in time, after the third knock, one of the accomplished riders on the grid would open the door, ever so slightly and then the rookie would try to slip in unnoticed, without disturbing the rarefied atmosphere in the room.

Once on the grid, they would creep first, rub leathers with the back-markers and after proving themselves they would then be allowed to sniff the exhaust from the machines ridden by the superstars of the craft who occupy the front of the grid.

Do you think that the team members at Repsol Honda actually knew the type of person Marquez was? It has emerged that he was a deviant of the highest order. He was willing to conform to no existing norm! Marquez implemented the advice he received from the late Notorious BIG in one of his raps. He did not knock on the door and wait, instead he, in Notorious BIG style, “kick in the door waving the 44” (replace .44 with Repsol Honda).

The fact that he finished on the podium for his first race, after harassing Rossi in the process, should have served as the wake up call to both fans ad the other riders on the grid.

By the time they woke up, to smell the disappearing coffee, it was too late. Marquez was ruthless, he was tenacious, it was an assault marked by brutal savagery and when the rubber settled, we were all left in awe, stunned by his yet to be defined brilliance!

World Champion

Marquez introduced himself to the MotoGP podium 16 times out of a possible 18 – 6 victories, 6 P2 finishes and 4 P3 finishes – not bad for a rookie. And despite some clever, points-paying and earth-shattering tricks pulled by Lorenzo in the final quarter of the MotoGP saga, there was no stopping the ‘wunderkid’. Lorenzo’s late surge ensured that the battle was transferred to Valencia for the final round. What Jorge did not know, was that Valencia would be his Waterloo. Lorenzo rode a brilliant race, Marquez rode a calculated race and with it he was crowned in Valencia. Marc Marquez – 2013 MotoGP World Champion!!

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MotoGP Valencia 2013

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer