MotoGP: Marquez hopes for podium at home in Catalunya

KTM Press Release

Ahead of the 125cc GP of Catalunya, KTM Racing News talked to Marc about his life, career aspirations and his factory team. This is what he said: 
 
KTM Racing News: What are your thoughts ahead of your home GP?
Marc Marquez: I think I can have a good weekend. I'm going to Barcelona very motivated. It's the circuit nearest my home in Spain and it's a good one for me and my KTM. I course I dream about being on the podium, but my first goal is to finish in the top five.

KTM RN: How do you turn the pressure of your home GP into positive energy for the race?
MM: It is definitely positive to have my family and all my fans around me. This helps me a lot, especially when I stay in close contact with them and they push me to give my very best. 
 
KTM: Talk about how you first got into racing.  Who, for example, are the most influential people in your professional and private life?
MM: I first started riding a bike with my father when I was only 4 years-old. I began with motocross, because that was my dad's hobby and for everyone who lived near me in Lleida it was something normal to go to motocross. Then I started road racing when I was 8 years-old. There was a new cup competition in Catalunya and it wasn't very expensive to compete in it. Someone recommended this to my father and we gave it a try. In the beginning I didn't like it too much because I wasn't winning, but I was faster in the last races of the season and then a team offered me a place for the following year. For sure at the beginning the most important for me was to work together with my dad. Then I was with the "Pro Curve" team with the Rojas brothers and from when I was 11, I worked with Monlau Competicion and Emilio Alzamora. When it comes to my private life, for sure the most important people are my family.
 
KTM RN: When did you first decide to be a racer and why?
MM: This happened when KTM helped me in the Spanish Championship. When I was 12, I decided what I wanted to do was to compete in GPs and win the World Championship. I wanted to become a Valentino and even today my racing heroes are Rossi and Dani Pedrosa. I knew I had a better chance to fulfill this dream when KTM started to be involved in my career.
 
KTM RN: How do you manage to keep up with your school work during the racing season?
MM: It's possible to keep up to date because I work very hard at school when I don't have to race. The school also helps me out so if I have a test or an exam on Friday for example, they let me do it on Monday after the race.
 
KTM RN: You are still very young to be in professional racing. Does this mean you do not get to do the things other teenagers do for fun? Do you miss anything?
MM: No, this is no problem for me - because this is my dream and my objective. My manager told me when I first went to the world championship that I wouldn't be able to do the same things as other teenagers but I don't have a problem with this. I still have time for my hobbies and if I organize my life I have enough time to go to school, to the gym and to also meet up with my friends.
 
KTM RN: What would be a typical week day for Marc Marquez? What kinds of things do you do for study, physical fitness, mental training and race training?
MM: I get up 7.30 a.m. I go to school from 8:15 to 4:00 p.m. I go to the gym from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 or sometimes 7:00 p.m. After that I do my homework and either enjoy some time with my family or just have some free time to do whatever I want. I usually go to bed around 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m.
 
KTM RN: What is it like to be part of the KTM factory team and the international "Orange" family?
MM: I feel very good with KTM because it's a small factory team but it's a very good one. I have a comfortable life with KTM and I believe it is a good and very professional team. Harald Bartol (KTM's Technical Director) works very hard for me and my bike.
 
KTM RN: What kind of relationships do you have in the team, for example with your mechanics and with your team-mate Cameron?
MM: I have a good relationship and it's a good atmosphere. It's like a family and I am close to Cameron and to my mechanics.
 
KTM RN: What is the thing you would most like to achieve in your racing career and have you set any timetable for when you might like to achieve this goal
MM: I want to become world champion. This year maybe it's difficult but next year it is possible. I will have more experience and I will be more mature. 
 
KTM RN: What do you like to do in your private life? Do you have any special interests outside of racing? Any hobbies? Any other kinds of sports?
MM: Yes I like to ride my bicycle and I enjoy playing X-Box 
 
KTM RN: Would you like to have another kind of career after racing? If so, do you have anything in mind?
MM: At the moment I'm not thinking about that. From next year I must decide what direction I will study looking ahead to having a normal job in the future. Of course I'll still continue to race and to learn as much as I can about that.

KTM RN: Looking ahead beyond racing, do you have any long term plans for your life?
MM: I just hope to have a good life.
 
Marc Marquez Fast Facts:

• Born Feb. 17, 1993 in Cervera, Spain
• Started racing at age of 4
• Races KTM 125 FRR machine (no.93) for the Red Bull KTM Moto Sports factory team
• Made his championship debut on April 13, 2008, in the 125cc Portuguese GP at 15 years and 127 days as the youngest ever Spanish road racer to do so
• Became a full member of the Red Bull KTM Moto Sports factory team at the beginning of the 2009 season
• Achieved his first pole position, riding for the Red Bull KTM Moto Sports factory team at the 125cc French GP in 2009 at 16 years and 89 days, again   becoming the youngest Spanish rider to do so
• In 18 world championship races to date, he has achieved to podium positions and one pole position