
Rampaging Marquez hungry for more as MotoGP heads to Spain
Marquez is determined to continue his blistering start to the MotoGP season as the riders gear up this weekend for their first visit to Spain.
The six-time world champion looks back to his dominating best after making the switch to the factory Ducati team, winning three of the opening four races and sweeping the sprints.
The Spaniard has not put a foot wrong this season, aside from his crash while leading the Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas last month.
His form is reminiscent of his peak between 2013 and 2019, when he won the world title six times, before a decline brought on by injuries.
Marquez, who leads the standings by 17 points ahead of younger brother Alex, is a three-time winner in Jerez -- in 2014, 2018 and 2019, but Bagnaia has triumphed in each of the last three years.
'It's one of the most special GPs, I think for every rider, but especially for Spanish riders. I have very good memories from there, some bad memories,' said Marquez, who also broke his arm at Jerez in 2020.

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