Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez has revealed how one of his MotoGP rivals was ‘obsessed’ with getting a photo of himself overtaking the Ducati star during the Italian Grand Prix Sprint race.
As one of the most successful riders the sport has ever seen, there is no doubt that Marquez has a target on his back in the eyes of the rest of the grid’s competitors. He has been the man to beat since making his debut in 2013, even with his questionable fitness.
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During his return to racing action during the shorter format race at the Italian Grand Prix, Marquez got off to an unbelievable start as he went from P4 on the grid into the lead at turn one. It didn’t last long, however, with a multitude of riders passing him in the ensuing turns.
One rider who managed to get the better of him in that instance was rookie Diogo Moreira, who credits Marquez as being a big help in his step up from Moto2 to MotoGP over the winter break.
- READ MORE: Marc Marquez tells Diogo Moreira to show ‘patience’, ‘something I haven’t had in my career’
Diogo Moreira was ‘obsessed’ with getting a photo of him overtaking Marc Marquez
Speaking about Moreira’s overtake on him during the 11-lap Sprint at Mugello, Marquez told El Periodico, “I was expecting it, to be honest.”
He added, “In fact, yesterday, Friday, late in the afternoon, once we’d gone through the lap times and seen that we were, more or less, on the same pace, I said to him, ‘I think, Diogo, we’re going to be right there, neck and neck, trying to get the edge’.”
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The Spaniard then noted that Moreira told him, “You know that if I catch you alongside me, I’m going to try to overtake you because I am obsessed with getting that photo; I have to get that photo of me overtaking Marc Marquez.”
After being asked about Marquez’s comments by the Spanish news outlet, Moreira confessed that he told his idol, “I don’t know how long you’re going to stay here, I don’t know when you plan to retire, but I do know that one day, as soon as I can.
“I have to get my bike past you, at least once in my life and in MotoGP. I want that photo and, if it happens [on Saturday], I’m not going to miss the opportunity.”
- READ MORE: Marc Marquez explains to Diogo Moreira why ‘being fast’ is not enough to become a MotoGP champion
Marc Marquez gifted Diogo Moreira a signed print of his overtake during Italian GP Sprint
Ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, a social media post by MotoGP on Instagram portrayed Marquez approaching Moreira in the pit lane with a printed image of his overtake in hand.
The reigning world champion asked his younger rival whether or not he wanted it signed, to which the Brazilian replied, “Yes, please do!”
The Ducati rider jokingly wrote, “For the Brazilian rookie… Screw you,” much to the delight of Moreira and the rest of the LCR personnel present.
The post received a lot of attention from fans on the image-sharing platform, who commended Marquez for his sportsmanship, with one fan commenting, “A perfect example of how rivalry and friendship can go hand in hand.”
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