Reigning MotoGP Champion Marc tops dirt track’s version of “The Superbikers” in Spain.
Two-time and reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez of Spain and AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees of the United States electrified the 9000 spectators at the St. Jordi Arena, with Márquez winning the second edition of the Superprestigio Dirt Track after a thrilling Superfinal.
Márquez made the 12-lap Superfinal after winning three of the four Superprestigio finals, while Mees handily won all three Open class finals, setting up a showdown for the Superprestigio title after defending event champion Brad Baker exited the event earlier in the day when he suffered a separated shoulder in a crash during qualifying.
Mees and Márquez actually tangled off the start when there was commotion in the first turn that very nearly caused both men to crash and Mees’ bike to lose fire. Mees was quickly back in the hunt, however, as fellow American Kenny Noyes moved into the early lead. Noyes held off Márquez for as long as he could, but with six laps to go Márquez made made a successful bid for the lead, while Mees also passed Noyes, dropping Noyes to third place.
Mees drew close to Márquez in the final few laps, but Márquez wsa able to hold off the American dirt track champion to win the Superprestigio title by three tenths of a second.
“I’m happy and I’ve enjoyed all the way!” Márquez said. “I want to thank all my fellow riders for putting such a show together and making it possible for the second edition. The best news today was to know that Brad [Baker] was okay at the end after his accident. This event had a lot of media attention, and the public in the grandstands were very generous. I was a little bit nervous before the Superfinal because I knew Jared Mees was really fast, but I am happy and relieved now. I have improved my technique in this track because last I year I noticed Brad was using different settings that my team and I have applied for this edition.”
Mees put up a good fight and seemed to be satisfied with second place in his first visit to Europe.
“I’m so grateful to everybody in the organization and Marquez for the invitation,” Mees said. “Thanks for making this possible and letting me visit Barcelona as my first overseas flight! For sure I want to be in next year!”
Noyes’ third-place finish made it two Americans on the Superprestigio podium, although Noyes sort of splits the difference as an American who lives in Spain.
“It has been such an incredible season, and this event has had massive media coverage,” Noyes said. “I’m very grateful to RPM Racing. I want to return next year and achieve the victory because today these two guys [Marquez and Mees] were just so fast! I’ve had very little time to practice on my new bike, so for next year I’ll be ready!”
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