'Gladiator' Marc Marquez 'delivers the show' – TNT Sports experts praise 'exceptional' Spaniard after Jerez heroics

ByAlasdair Mackenzie

Updated 28/04/2024 at 19:41 GMT+1

A huge home crowd at the Spanish Grand Prix was not left disappointed as local hero Marc Marquez claimed his best result since October 2022 and duelled with world champion Pecco Bagnaia for the race win until the finish line. Marquez was praised as a "gladiator" who "delivers the show" by TNT Sports pundits Neil Hodgson and Sylvain Guintoli following a spectacular race.

MotoGP highlights: Bagnaia edges Marquez to claim thrilling Spanish GP victory

Marc Marquez showed his “gladiator” qualities at the Spanish GP after duelling for the win with Pecco Bagnaia in front of a vast and adoring home crowd, says TNT Sports' expert Neil Hodgson.

The six-time MotoGP world champion was back competing at the front of the grid in Jerez, starting on pole and finishing second after an engrossing battle with reigning champion Bagnaia.

There were incredible scenes after the race when Spaniard Marquez climbed the fences to celebrate his best result since October 2022 in Australia with the mass of passionate home supporters.

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“How many sporting events around the world have had 300,000 people over the weekend? That’s what we’ve had,” former Superbike world champion Hodgson told TNT Sports.

"The passion here in Spain for motorcycle racing, for MotoGP, is unparalleled. It’s incredible.

“These are gladiators, they are heroes. Marc Marquez, what he has been through, three operations on his arm, to come back, to fight, to still want it more than most out there, it’s exceptional.”

‘Best race he has ever done' - Bagnaia reached new levels against Marquez, says Guintoli

Sylvain Guintoli was also full of praise for the fan favourite, who is second only to Valentino Rossi in the list of the most successful riders of the MotoGP era.

Marquez left Honda after 11 years at the end of last season following two disappointing seasons.

But he has shown signs of returning to the top in 2024 and sits sixth in the championship standings after four races.

‘The touchpaper has been lit!’ – Bagnaia and Marquez go head-to-head in incredible duel

“You could hear the crowd, you could hear them chanting as well on the podium,” said Guintoli.

“He’s still the favourite rider, he’s so spectacular as well. He just delivers the show. They all know it, they came to watch him win.”

Next up for Marquez is a trip to Le Mans for the French Grand Prix on May 12, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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