Marquez takes first MotoGP win of 2019 in Argentina; Austin next
It was a 9.8-second victory for the untouchable Marc Marquez in Argentina as Jorge Lorenzo gained more points and crucial bike time for Respol Honda.
Overnight rain in Termas de Rio Hondo didn’t deter the MotoGP field during the morning warm-up, with both Repsol Honda team riders running consistently in the top 10. Marquez again finished on top, with Lorenzo within a second and in 11th after the 20-minute session.
Forecasts were all proven wrong as the 25-lap Argentina Grand Prix ran without even a single drop of rain and instead the grid was met with ever-climbing track temperatures. Marquez converted his pole position into a one second lead after just a single lap, and the reigning champion never looked back. Lap after lap his advantage grew, with Marquez over 12 seconds ahead by the end of the race. Crossing the line 9.816 seconds ahead of second-placed Valentino Rossi, Marquez claimed his first win of the season and his third win at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in untouchable style.
The victory was accompanied by Marquez’s biggest winning margin in a dry MotoGP race, his previous best coming at the 2016 Argentina GP (a gap of 7.679s) and is his 45th win in the premier class. Marquez leaves Argentina with 45 points and the championship lead.
Honda now moves to the top of the Constructor’s Championship as a result of the victory.
The MotoGP World Championship prepares to travel to Austin, Texas for round three of the 2019 championship at the Red Bull Gran Prix of The Americas, April 12 -14. Marquez has won all six races at the circuit.
