Gresini Racing team racer , Marc Marquez , opened up his chances to be wider in MotoGP 2024 after two consecutive wins.

Marc Marquez is closing in on the top of the standings following his victory in the latest race at the 13th series of the San Marino GP (8/9/2024).

Stumbling in qualifying due to a fall, Marquez converted an unfavourable ninth-place starting position into fifth in the sprint and victory in the GP race.

Victory in Sunday’s race at Misano means Marquez has collected 67 points from a maximum of 74 points that can be achieved from the last two series.

The important thing to note from Marquez’s recent string of successes is how he has always been able to shine in difficult conditions.

At the Aragon GP, ​​the riders were faced with low grip conditions due to new asphalt. Meanwhile, at the San Marino GP, the culprit was the rain that fell briefly in the middle of the race.

Marquez’s superiority received praise from former racer, Neil Hodgson, in his analysis on TNT Sports .

Hodgson highlighted Marquez’s ability to overcome the human instinct to be cautious when the going gets tough.

Interestingly, Marquez’s habit of falling was actually rare at that time.

“Usually when he does it, it works more often than it doesn’t,” he said referring to Marquez’s transformation into an ‘animal’ when conditions are tough, as quoted by Crash .

“He has fallen many times and will fall many more times.”

“But when he gives it his all… he has this strange ability to not fall apart in difficult situations.”

“To keep the tyre temperature, we have to push. But, (try to) tell our brain that we have to go there with full commitment.”

Marquez’s consistency in tricky conditions is comparable to the top two riders in the standings, namely Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac).

Bagnaia was helpless at the Aragon GP because the dusty starting position made him always slip at the start until he finished ninth during the sprint (1 point) and fell when he was about to make a comeback in the race.

Meanwhile, Martin finished 15th (1 point) in the Misano GP race because he changed his bike to a wet track setting from flag-to-flag when the track dried out later.

Marquez is still stuck in third place in the standings with 259 points.

However, he has successfully reduced the points gap to the top of the standings from 83 points before the 12th series of the Aragon GP to 53 points after the 13th series of the San Marino GP.

The difference of 53 points is relatively small considering that there are still 7 racing series remaining and there are still 259 points up for grabs.

Momentum is moving towards Marquez as the potential for bad weather and tricky conditions accompany the final part of the season’s championship.

The series of races in the Southeast Asia region, namely the Indonesian GP, ​​Thailand GP, and Malaysian GP, ​​take place during the rainy season.

The Japanese GP has also been held in the rain several times, including last season when Marquez was able to finish third on a ‘shabby’ Honda motorbike.

The Phillip Island Circuit, which is the venue for the Australian GP, ​​is also known for its unpredictable weather and cold and windy conditions.

Marquez’s advantage will be even greater if the competition for the championship title lasts until the final series in Valencia.

Cold weather is a challenge in Valencia. In addition, the Ricardo Tormo Circuit which is the venue has a counter-clockwise track, Marquez’s favorite.

Although Marquez did not want to brag about his chances of winning this season, his confidence was observed by MotoGP pit lane journalist, Simon Crafar.

“Did you see the look on Marc’s face when he was asked if he was in the title race?” Crafar said.

“He said he couldn’t make any more mistakes.”

“The intent on Marc’s face and the level he is as a rider we know, I would be worried if I was his opponent.”