2019 MotoGP preview: Rd15, Thailand

The 2019 MotoGP season is at the Chang International Circuit this weekend (October 4-6) for the Thailand Grand Prix – and all eyes will be on one man.

Marc Marquez arrives in Buriram with one hand already on the 2019 MotoGP championship. The Repsol Honda rider requires only two points more than Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso and be 100 points or more clear at the close of business on Sunday to seal the deal.

If cards fall the way of the 26-year-old Spaniard, it would wrap up his sixth MotoGP title and eighth world championship across all classes. And all before a busy fly-away schedule which takes in Japan, Australia (October 25-27) and Malaysia before the season finale in Valencia.

“We had a great weekend in Aragon and it was a delight to win in front of the home crowd. I want to carry this confidence and energy to Thailand so we can put in a strong weekend,” Marquez said.

“Our approach doesn’t change even with the circumstances, we will do our work to be as strong as possible come Sunday. Last year we had a very exciting race here in Thailand so hopefully we can put on another good show for the fans!”

Not that Marquez is likely to have things all his own way. At the inaugural Thailand Grand Prix in 2018, there were numerous lead changes between Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso and finally Marquez in what was a thrilling last corner duel.

Marquez ultimately won the event in 2018, but Dovizioso knows his potential this time round coming off a second place in Aragon.

“The race in Aragon was good. I found the rhythm and the feeling in the race, lap by lap. I was riding so smooth and to be able to be consistent until the last lap made the difference to finish second,” he said.

“Last year, Thailand was a strange race. We were a big group and everything could happen with five riders in the last three laps. I think this year we could have a different situation, the level of everyone has changed a little bit so we will see.”

Meantime, Valentino Rossi arrives in Buriram with his own news, the veteran confirming he has parted ways with long-time crew chief Silvano Galbusera at the end of the season. Rossi will instead pair with David Munoz for 2020, who is currently crew chief for Moto2 rider Nicolo Bulega.

“Last year I was quite fast here in Thailand, starting from the front row. The Sunday race was very good for us because Maverick and I were able to stay close to Marc and Dovi until the end of the race,” the factory Yamaha pilot said.

“We arrived here last year and changed some settings. From this race until the end of the championship was better, we improved our results.”

Australian Jack Miller was bullish about his Thai GP prospects in this week’s press conference, fresh from his third podium of the season in Aragon two weeks ago. Miller trails Petronas Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo by six points in the independent rider’s championship, with five rounds of the season remaining.

“I’m feeling pretty good leading into this one especially after Aragon,” Miller said. “It was a polar opposite of what we had in Misano, I got a lot of compliments out of that race, I had to work a little bit more and I had to ride smart.

“I was just off the front group at last year’s Thailand race, I think I can be up there with them this time on the GP19.”

Elsewhere, Pol Espargaro is eyeing a return to the KTM fold after suffering a wrist injury.

In Moto2, Australian Remy Gardner is hoping to really capitalise on his raw speed all season long with a strong, consistent performance and finish in Thailand.

The SAG Racing Team rider has shown glimpses of brilliance throughout the 2019 season, though his form has been scuppered by crashes and inconsistency.

See all the MotoGP action of the Thailand Grand Prix live on Network 10 this Sunday from 5.30pm (AEST) and from 12 midday Friday on Fox Sports. In other words, close to the Aussie time zone!