Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has taken to the streets of Bangkok in a tuk tuk and on his Repsol Honda MotoGP machine ahead of this weekend’s inaugural Thai Grand Prix, exploring the capital city before heading north to the Buriram International Circuit for this weekend’s opening race there.
Receiving a traditional Thai welcome, Marquez was joined by representatives from the Thailand government and members of the AP Honda Racing Thailand team including Moto3 World Championship driver Nakarin “Chip” Atiratphuvapat as well as some fans during a brief promotional event, Fox Sports reported.
Marquez made sure the city got a real taste of MotoGP as he rode down Ratchadamnoen Avenue, all the way up to the democracy monument, where he did a couple of laps.
Marquez and Nakarin didn’t forget to grab a quick bite at a wayside eatery a little later as he tried out some rice with pork and red sauce in classic Thai style and seemed to quite enjoy it.
Marquez also got to try one of the city's famous Tuk Tuks!
And while he had a long hot day in the sun ahead of tomorrow’s opening practice sessions, he says it was nice to see the city.
“It was a tough day,” said the number 93 of his day in the Thai capital, as quoted by The Nation. It was even hotter than here! But we had a good day, including riding the tuk tuk in the city! And I know a bit more about Bangkok because I’d never visited. Then last night I got to Buriram.”
“It will be exciting to race in Thailand for the first time; for sure there will be many fans in the grandstands, which is always a nice feeling,” he added.
Marquez was joined by his closest chaser Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), his teammate Alex Rins and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Aleix Espargaro in the Press Conference, with talk kicking off with the pre-event in Bangkok for Marquez.
“It looks like we spend more and more time in this part of the world because the passion for MotoGP is very high,” says Rossi. “It’s also important for all the manufacturers. It will be interesting to race in Thailand for the first time.”
