BANGKOK - Defending champion Marc Marquez launches his bid for a record-equalling eighth MotoGP world title as the season opens this week in Thailand.
The Spaniard capped a remarkable comeback from injury last year, winning his first championship since 2019 after a gruelling struggle that almost forced him to hang up his helmet.
The 33-year-old Ducati rider was in imperious form all season, winning 25 races including sprints and clinching the title with five events to spare.
Marquez missed the last four races of the season after injuring his collarbone at the Indonesia grand prix with the title already in the bag.
Now he is ready to go again, with his sights firmly set on equalling Italian legend Giacomo Agostini's record eight premier class world titles.
"We must fight for the title one more time," Marquez told reporters in pre-season testing in Malaysia.
"We have the pressure. I mean, if you're in the Ducati Lenovo team then you must fight for the championship, and that is what we will try to do."
Marquez spent the winter rehabbing from his latest injury and he admitted that he was not quite back to full fitness in Malaysia.
He still put in an impressive performance, although it was his brother Alex Marquez who clocked the fastest times in Sepang.
Alex Marquez finished last season as runner-up and he could well challenge his brother for the title again in a field packed with talent.