Marquez back on all-conquering territory

Since his MotoGP debut in 2013, no one has beaten reigning world champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) to the top step at the Sachsenring – or even before. The number 93 has eight straight wins at the track: in the 125 world title in 2010, two in Moto2 in 2011 and 2012, and every year since in the premier class.

That’s makes the goal for the rest of the grid a simple one as the 2018 MotoGP title barrels towards the summer break: beat the King of the Sachsenring this weekend (July 13-15).

It won’t be easy. The final battle of the first half of the season will take place at another venue steeped in history and although the track itself is newer, the anti-clockwise venue is a unique one. The weather could also play a role, with the German GP always more of a question mark than many other tracks on the grid. But the field won’t leave it to chance – with the points gap behind Marquez only continuing to grow, they can’t afford to.

With a massive level of understatement, Marquez says he is returning to a track where he is “normally very strong”.

“The victory we scored at Assen was important because it was a race where it was incredibly easy to make a mistake but instead we were able to increase our advantage in the championship,” said Marquez.

“Now we go to a very different circuit where we’re normally very strong, but every year is different; you could object that I often repeat this idea, but it’s true! Weather could play an important role, as we’ve seen in the past: if it’s rainy or mixed, everything will change very quickly and you must be ready.

“So we’ll see; we’ll go there and try to find our level and be strong from the start of the weekend. Then on Sunday we’ll try and fight for the podium again.”

So who will be taking on the king of the 3.5km Sachsenring? His biggest competition may well come from teammate Dani Pedrosa, whose MotoGP record at the German track is equaled only by his record at Valencia. The No. 26 has won four times at the venue and, with the diminutive Spaniard also set to announce his 2019 plans in Germany, it will be a big weekend for the three-time world champion.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) is another name with a great CV at the track, including four premier class wins. He’s also the closest challenger to Marquez in the title fight as it stands, making it everything to play for for the nine-time world champion. A winner at the venue for two manufacturers, too, Rossi will surely be a threat – as will teammate Maverick Viñales. Viñales’ record isn’t as shimmering, with two podiums in the lightweight class, but the Spaniard beat the ‘Doctor’ over the line last season and has his own aspirations to the crown, sitting third overall…

Last season, however, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) beat both the Movistar Yamahas to complete the podium. The Italian has a solid record at the track added to by the rostrum finish, and the Borgo Panigale factory has won there before, back in 2008 with Casey Stoner.

‘DesmoDovi’ needs some form and began to recover that in Assen, taking fourth to move up to fifth in the standings – can he keep the tide turning a little on teammate Jorge Lorenzo in Germany? The Sachsenring is one of very few venues where the No. 99 has never won, but two out of the last three wins for Lorenzo makes it a big statement for Dovizioso if he can turn the odds against the Spaniard.

Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) is on song and took his best ever finish last time out, teammate Andrea Iannone will want to fight back and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) has a solid record at the track – as do Honda as a manufacturer.

Aussie Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) also has a lot to ride for after a disappointing outing at Assen.

Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), meanwhile, has a tough act to follow after then-teammate Jonas Folger pushed Marquez to the limit last season – but the Frenchman says he has the data. Will that help him turnaround what was one of his toughest weekends as a rookie and make it second time lucky?

It’s the final race before the summer break and the last chance for many to regain some momentum. With Marquez so far ahead the reigning champion can afford to take a few risks in Germany – but his competitors can’t afford to let him.