Alex Marquez benefits from brother's crash to secure 'amazing' 76-year MotoGP first
Alex Marquez benefitted from the lap three crash of his superstar brother Marc Marquez to finally clinch his maiden MotoGP victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Having finished second in each of the first three races of the season – including twice as runner-up to his brother – the 29-year-old finally stood on the top step of the podium in his 94th start.
"Amazing, amazing, I cannot ask for more," Alex said. "It was a race where I was really clever."
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In their home grand prix, the brothers were running line-astern in third and fourth when Marc crashed out on lap three.
A lap later, Alex moved into second with a move on Francesco Bagnaia, and took the lead from Fabio Quartararo on lap 11.
Alex Marquez kisses the trophy on the podium. NurPhoto via Getty Images
From there, the younger of the two brothers was never headed and he took victory by 1.5 seconds.
With Alex's victory, the Marquez brothers become the first siblings to have each won a race in the top class of motorcycle racing since the world championship began in 1949.
It wasn't all smooth sailing though. On the opening lap, Gresini Ducati rider tried to dive down the inside of his brother at turn six. When the door closed, Alex was forced to bail out of the move, and very nearly crashed into his brother's rear tyre.
"The moment I did it, at the beginning I attacked a little bit too much and I lost a too much time there," he said.
The Marquez brothers share a hug after the race. NurPhoto via Getty Images
"But with my pace, concentrating, trying to not make any gap and trying not to give any chance to the other ones I was controlling the race perfectly."
Alex came into MotoGP as a two-time Moto2 champion, but has largely existed underneath the enormous shadow cast by his older brother.
Marc is a six-time champion with 65 career victories to his name. He has also dominated the opening part of the season. Coming into the Spanish race, he had won three of the first four races, and had crashed out of the lead in the other.
Alex admitted he started to lose concentration as the laps wound down and he started to dream of finally taking victory.
Marquez on his way to victory. NurPhoto via Getty Images
"I was thinking too much … what the team will start thinking, how to celebrate … all of that," he said.
"I tried to push again and find my rhythm, and I was comfortable (with) the pace I was doing. For sure the team will ask why I was pushing and making the gap bigger, but it was the best way to keep the concentration.
"When Marc crashed, I say to myself 'Alex, today is your day'. Without him, I know I was the strongest one.
"I was emotional [about Marc's crash] for 0.5 seconds, and then I focus on my race."
