Marquez nailed on to secure another Moto GP title

We’re just over halfway through the Moto GP season, and already the Championship looks sewn up. Spaniard Marc Marquez, at the age of 21, is 89 points ahead in the competition’s world standings, and as a result is massively odds-on at 1/500 to win the title.

Labelled ‘the smiling assassin’ for his amiable nature and killer instinct on the track by the British media, at just 20 he became the youngest champion in 65 years last season. Everyone else is battling it out for second place as far as the Marquez camp is concerned. Rounding off the top three are compatriot Dani Pedrosa and Italian Valentino Rossi on 199 and 189 points respectively.

So, who would play Marquez in a film? Think Tom Cruise out of ‘Top Gun’ and you get an idea of the kind of character he is. Smiley and charming in person, hence living up to the nickname ‘El Nino’, given to him by a handful of Spanish journalists. However, an ultra-competitive streak and fearless outlook on the track are components of his success so far.

“You are fast because of others, they make you go faster,” said Marquez. “What I try to do is enjoy myself with the racing, when you enjoy, everything is easier.”

Pedrosa’s price of 33/1 to claim the championship suggests that something would have to go seriously wrong for Marquez in order for his fellow Spaniard to win.

However, Pedrosa recognises the 21 year old’s talents: “Marc always rides at the limit,” he said. “It seems like he’s crashing all the time, but he’s not crashing.”

Rossi, on the other hand, despite the Italian being just one point behind Pedrosa, has odds of 50/1. Although he dominated Moto GP for years, securing nine titles, he hasn’t won the championship since 2009, with a series of injuries preventing his chances. He may be back to his former best now, however there is a new kid on the block, and as far as Marquez is concerned, it is just the beginning.