No caution for Marquez at Phillip Island

Should Marquez score seven more points than current title holder Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) and five more than Repsol Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa, the 20-year-old will become the first rookie World Champion since Kenny Roberts 35 years ago, as well as the youngest in the history of the sport.

"It was a good weekend in Malaysia and we took some very important championship points," says the Catalan, who at Sepang finished second in a Repsol Honda one-two. "Now, without any time to rest, we head to Australia for the next race and we need to maintain the same direction and mentality as it's working for us in this moment.

"Phillip Island will be important for the championship, as there are only three races to go and every point makes a difference, but we will try to approach it as we do every race weekend: work hard from the beginning and keep our concentration."

Teammate Dani Pedrosa also remains a title contender and, following his impressive third victory of the year at Sepang last weekend, is now targeting more of the same.

"I'm very happy with my performance in Malaysia and the whole team did a great job," says the 2012 World Championship runner-up. "I've had two days of rest after the race and now we head to Phillip Island and will look to finish these three remaining races as strong as possible.

"The track itself is a lot of fun - the layout makes for an interesting race - and I'm also excited to testing the new asphalt. I've had mixed results there in the past but I'm looking forward to step up a gear and enjoy the track!"

Repsol Honda has won the last two Australian Grands Prix courtesy of Casey Stoner, who as a rider clinched six of the seven premier class events he contested in his home nation. As the Australian is no longer on the grid, whoever wins this weekend's race will become the Phillip Island victor other than Stoner since Marco Melandri in 2006.

The 2013 Tissot Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island officially kicks off on Friday, October 18, with race day on Sunday, October 20.

For ticket details, bookings or more information visit www.motogp.com.au or call 1800 100 030

image: motogp.com