Champion Marquez targets record 13th win in finale

Already assured of his second successive world title, Marc Marquez targets a record 13th win in one season when the 2014 campaign ends in Valencia on Sunday.
Marquez wrapped up the MotoGP crown in Japan in October while his victory in Malaysia last time out equalled Australian rider Mick Doohan's mark of 12 in 17 races in a season from 1997.
As well as a record victory on Sunday, the 21-year-old Marquez and teammate Dani Pedrosa can also deliver Honda back-to-back team and constructors titles in the season's 18th and final race.
Sunday's race will also witness Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo battling for second place while Japanese manufacturer Suzuki field one machine ahead of a full-time return to the grid in 2015 after a four-year absence.
"The past month has been a whirlwind and winning the championship in Japan seems like a long time ago now," said Marquez.
"Now we head to Valencia for the final race of an incredible season. It’s always nice to race in front of the home fans and this year it will be much more relaxed. I will be able to enjoy it without any pressure."
Marquez clinched the 2013 title in Valencia with a third place finish while a year earlier he won the Moto2 world championship coming from last place on the grid to first.
Pedrosa has nine podiums in Valencia which include six victories -– 2012, 2009, 2007 (MotoGP), 2005, 2004 (250cc) and 2002 (125cc).
Rossi, a seven-time world champion in the elite division, and double winner Lorenzo are separated by just 12 points in their duel for second spot.
The 27-year-old Spaniard won the Valencia round in 2013 having also won in 2010.
"It won’t be an easy race. I'm second in the championship and being 12 points ahead is good, but this gap is not sufficient enough to play a passive role this weekend," said Rossi, the winner of the race in Valencia in 2003 and 2004.
"Jorge is in a good moment. During the second part of the season Jorge was very fast and he wants to win in Spain and try to take the second place from me."
The Moto2 title has already been decided with Spain's Esteve Rabat, on a Kalex, ensuring the honours in Malaysia.
In Moto3, Spanish Honda rider Alex Marquez, the younger brother of Marc Marquez, has an 11-point lead over Australian Jack Miller on a KTM ahead of the final race.
If the 18-year-old Marquez wins on Sunday he will ensure a Spanish sweep of the three world titles in the same season for the first time.
Source: AFP