Pedro Acosta received the Thailand MotoGP dash forward of Marc Marquez on Saturday. Picture: AFP
BANGKOK:
Defending MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez stated he had no complaints after a final-lap penalty value him victory in Saturday’s season-opening dash in Thailand, with Pedro Acosta taking the win.
Ducati’s Marquez is launching his bid for a record-equalling eighth world title however he needed to accept second in Buriram after being compelled to drop a spot for an unlawful transfer.
The choice gave KTM’s Acosta his first dash win, in a 13-lap race that noticed pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi crash out on the second lap.
Marquez, who began from second on the grid, shook arms along with his fellow Spaniard Acosta after the race and stated he would settle for the choice.
“In my view the race path decides, so simply I comply with the principles,” stated Marquez.
Acosta completed 0.108sec forward of Marquez, with Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez taking third.
Marquez stated earlier this week that he was nonetheless feeling the lingering results of a shoulder damage that compelled him to overlook the ultimate 4 races of final season.
However he regarded again to his normal aggressive self as he battled forwards and backwards with Acosta.
“Each time Pedro went to me, I went to get right away on the following nook,” stated the 33-year-old Marquez.
“Sadly I bought that penalty however 9 factors, truthful race, after an damage, not unhealthy. I am pleased.”
Acosta began from sixth on the grid and shortly emerged as Marquez’s greatest challenger after Bezzecchi worn out early.
The 21-year-old Acosta stated it was “super-cool to make a dash like this versus Marc”.
“It is true that possibly I do not really feel like a winner as a result of he let me move, however anyway we’ve a possibility tomorrow,” he added.
Bezzecchi went into the dash in red-hot type, having topped the timesheets in all three practices and ending first in qualifying.
However there had additionally been warning indicators, with the Italian struggling a heavy crash on the finish of qualifying.
Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura completed the dash fourth, with Aprilia’s Jorge Martin fifth and KTM’s Brad Binder sixth.
