MotoGP rookie Marc Marquez took one step nearer to securing the 2013 world title at the first time of asking, taking second place today at Sepang and increasing his lead to 43 points.
He finished in front of challenger and reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo, and now only needs to seven more points that his fellow Spaniard at Phillip Island next weekend to bag the big trophy. As usual, the youngster played it down.
"There are still three races and we need to keep the same mentality as it is working so well but in Phillip Island it's another race but sure it's important to take points for the championship," said Marquez, speaking at Sepang.
"It was a nice battle with Jorge, I enjoy it a lot but at the same time I saw Dani open some gap, Like always, my start was not so good but in the first laps I felt good and then the battle with Jorge so nice but finally I went past Jorge and try to reduce the gap to Dani.
"That was too much risk and the target this weekend was to finish in front of Jorge. We finish second, he third and we increase four points the distance of the championship so that is most important."