MotoGP Valencia: Marquez out to finish on a high

Marc Marquez will be looking to close his latest title-winning MotoGP season with a sixth win of the year at Valencia on Sunday. The Repsol Honda star wrapped up the 2016 crown several races ago in Japan, but Valencia will be his first race in Europe – and home Spanish fans – since.

“It has been good coming back home after the three flyaway races with the title already won, and to celebrate it with all my family and friends,” said Marquez, who will be reunited with injured team-mate Dani Pedrosa this weekend.

“I had the chance to chill out a bit and get back to my usual training, both indoors in the gym and outdoors with some motocross and cycling. ‘Thanks’ to the jetlag, I had the opportunity to enjoy some really spectacular dawns on my bicycle!

“Anyway, the season isn’t over yet, as we’ll race in Valencia on Sunday, and after that we’ll have two important days of testing. Our target for the race is of course to try and finish on a high in front of our fans, possibly with a win or at least a podium.

“It was good to see that Dani is getting better and to know he’ll be back in Valencia.”

While Marquez has claimed the riders’ title, both the MotoGP teams’ and constructors’ championships are still up for grabs after the Spaniard fell last time out at Sepang.

Movistar Yamaha is 10 points ahead of Repsol Honda in the teams’ standings, with Honda 21 points clear of Yamaha in the constructors’.