Obviously, the world of MotoGP did not wait for the third round of the championship to contemplate the incredible talent of Márquez. Indeed, after thunderous tests and a victory after only the second round, we knew that we were dealing with a phenomenon. But his legend really began on the Jerez circuit.
Building on a thunderous start to the season which saw him become the youngest winner of a Grand Prix in history, Marc Márquez arrives in Jerez calmly. His rivals are the big regulars: on the one hand Jorge Lorenzo, winner in Qatar and Dani Pedrosa, always very comfortable on the Spanish circuits. Valentino Rossi returned to the blues and was also quick from the start of the season.
Despite everything, it is the three Spaniards who are tipped for the final victory. The qualifying session confirms the general thinking. Numbers 99, 26 and 93 are the only ones to pass the 1'39 mark. If Dani is strong, it's a different story for Jorge. Jerez is one of the circuits where 'Por Fuera' is the most dominant, as proven by his historic arrival in 2010 after a bitter struggle.
Rookie, Marc Márquez dazzles the grid with his talent. Yet as a 'kid', he doesn't seem to be afraid and has no pressure. Here at Silverstone. photo: Smudge 9000
Moreover, during this race weekend, the Majorcan is celebrated: a bend will now bear his name. It's not the most discreet: it's number 13, the very last one which has seen so much in its history. It was here that Álex Crivillé fell under pressure from his teammate Mick Doohan on the last lap of the 1996 edition, in front of stunned supporters at the side of the track. It is also here that Valentino Rossi ejected Sete Gibernau, in 2005, by trying to go all out on the last lap, a controversial maneuver if ever there was one.
The fires are about to go out. Jorge Lorenzo, as usual, takes the 'holeshot' and keeps the lead during the early stages. But the latter does not seem able to impose his famous fast and regular pace that the paddock fears so much. Thus, an in-form Dani Pedrosa passes the Yamaha official.
The race is rather calm, Pedrosa will not be caught. But in the final laps the sprint for second place began. Lorenzo must endure repeated attacks from Márquez, round after round. At the end of the longest straight of the circuit, he tried to overtake but was too deep: 'Por Fuera' passed again. Jorge Lorenzo is one of the drivers who can be overtaken at the entry but not at the exit, because the latter will always favor the perfect trajectory in order to anticipate the next turn.
The attacks are pressing, but Márquez, only 20 years old, is hesitant and somewhat clumsy. Last round, everything can be played out. More than just a place, there is a psychological advantage at stake. If Lorenzo finishes ahead of Márquez, the hierarchy will be respected and the No. 93 will feel it. On the other hand, if the opposite happens, the Honda official would shake up the codes by beating his compatriot in style.
We are far from suspecting what Márquez is planning. So second, we imagine him accepting his position without struggling any more than that. Ihe had actually had a very good race so far. But then comes the last sequence. Lorenzo is in the lead, and as usual, comes out strong from the penultimate corner and instinctively moves back to the right of the track to prepare the best possible exit.
The 2013 season is one of the best. A duel at the top, twists and turns, miracles, sensational races, it was all there. Moreover, Jorge Lorenzo still holds the record for the number of victories in a season without lifting the trophy at the end (8). Photo: Robert Murdoch.
Marquez has nothing to lose. He sees a space, he tries everything for everything. His braking is absolutely monstrous and he clearly makes an error of judgment: he is forced to slow down in a straight line, at the risk of not being able to turn. Lorenzo is far from imagining that a bullet is coming towards him when he begins to turn. A little before the apex, contact is inevitable.
The Honda leans easily on its rival, who has no choice but to pull straight to avoid falling, losing all hope of second place. Once the finish line is crossed, the reigning world champion has a closed face, and even refuses to shake hands with his counterpart. A rivalry had just been born, a legend had been created.
This “racing incident” which will have no follow-up has remained famous. From that day on, the two men had a difficult relationship throughout 2013, one of the best seasons of the modern era. But history will remember that a rookie by the name of Márquez came to tickle a quadruple champion in a turn in his name, at only 20 years old. Ayrton Senna once said that “if you don't fight for a space that exists, then you're not a racing driver”. SO ? Magnificent maneuver in the spirit of sport, or suicide overtaking? You be the judge …
Cover photo: Box Repsol
