International Football Tournament (World Cup) arrives in Catalonia, with Márquez resolved to claim the title directly
The Montmeló circuit in Spain is set to host the MotoGP World Championship event this weekend, with Marc Márquez leading the championship and favoured to win the Catalan GP.
Márquez, riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP25, has been unbeatable since the British Grand Prix at the end of May. The Spanish rider has already won his ninth world title in the premier class and shows no signs of slowing down.
However, his brother Alex Márquez, who won the Catalan GP last year, will be a formidable opponent. Alex has shown significant improvement recently, ending Marc's seven-race winning streak and closing the points gap in the championship.
Other riders starting at the MotoGP Catalan GP this weekend include Enea Bastianini, Pedro Acosta, and Francesco Bagnaia.
Bagnaia finished second in the sprint and third on Sunday last year at the Montmeló circuit. However, he has struggled lately, particularly in Barcelona, where he qualified poorly. On the other hand, Bastianini achieved his first podium for KTM, indicating an upward trend.
Bagnaia hopes to improve his performance this weekend after a more optimistic outlook from the Hungarian Grand Prix. Aprilia and KTM have taken a significant step forward in recent races, which could work in Bagnaia's favour.
Márquez has only won three times at the Catalan circuit in his career, with his last victory coming in 2019. However, he won two times at the Catalan circuit in his spectacular 2014 season.
South African Brad Binder set the best time on Friday with a new circuit record of 1:38.141. Pedro Acosta set the next best time, slightly better than the Márquez brothers.
Italian Marco Bezzecchi has three consecutive podiums, which could make him a dark horse for the win. The Noale brand seems to be starting to have good news with Márquez's dominance and Bezzecchi's recent success.
Bagnaia has barely been at the front on Saturdays this season and hasn't achieved it on Sundays in the last three Grand Prix. This could give Márquez an advantage heading into the weekend.
Overall, the MotoGP Catalan GP promises to be an exciting event, with Márquez as the favourite but several other riders capable of challenging for the win.
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