The pilot from Forli, however, has vowed to, at least, delay the glory for #93 for as long as he can. Dovi would also want to have his back after Marc defeated him at the same circuit a year ago. The Honda star is bound to be feeling the pressure despite being a master in dealing with this type of situations, as he has repeatedly shown on previous occasions. In 2016 he defeated the Yamahas of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo in Japan and repeated the feat on that same track two years later against Dovizioso.
On top it all, Marquez won in 2018 at this very dame race track where he will now attempt to win the crown this weekend. The champion form Lleida has, in any case, declared that he would want to seal the title at the Chang International Speedway, among other things, because he has not yet done it there before. The managers of the Japanese brand would probably also love the idea of their pilot shining at what is a very important market for the company’s sales.
The other ‘guests’ at the 2019 Thailand MotoGP
The leader and favourite Márquez and his main rival Dovizioso will not be alone at the Eastern battle. Close behind them is Alex Rins. Despite his disastrous performance in Alcañiz, the pilot from Barcelona recovered in Spain the third position in the standings, where he is sandwiched between the two red bullets. Looking up is Andrea’s Desmosedici, and looking down, and just one point behind is Danilo Petrucci‘s.
The official Yamahas of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales, as well as the satellite from Fabio Quartararo, could also find a spot at the head of the race. With his two podiums – third in Great Britain and San Marino– and a fourth position over the last three races, Viñales leads the comeback of the Japanese team. On top of that, Viñales seems to have built up a good rapport with his M1 since the middle of the season and his driving style is well suited to Buriram layout where he finished third in 2018.
For all of these reasons, he is aspiring to fight for the first places in Thailand. Meanwhile, his Italian teammate is ten points behind him. Rossi does not seem so comfortable with his mount, but saying that, does anyone dare to rule out the most successful driver of all times? I don’t think so.
Fabio Quartararo, the French rookie of the Petronas SRT, is looking forward to having his first-ever MotoGP victory and there is no doubt that he will put up a good fight to achieve it.
As for the rest of the Spaniards, Pol Espargaró will try to get back on his feet after his accident in Motorland. The proud ‘Polyccio’ will get back on his KTM just 12 days after undergoing surgery on his left hand for a fracture in his distal radius.
Also on the track will be his brother Aleix, still suffering with his Aprilia, as well as Joan Mir, Rins‘ partner in Suzuki, and Tito Rabat of the Reale Avintia team. Last but not least there is Jorge Lorenzo, who will once again do his best to climb out of the dark place in which he currently is. It remains to be seen if he can gain confidence onboard the indomitable RC231V.
Images: Box Repsol.com
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