Thailand, October 25, 2023 –
Modest scooters adorned with towering stacks behind! No, it's not the bustling
streets of Thailand, but a riveting scooter race between 8-time MotoGP world
Champion, Marc Marquez, and his Moto2 world Champion brother, Alex Marquez, as
they weave through the quiet, grassy dirt tracks of Buriram. In this eccentric
pre-Grand Prix challenge, the brothers pitted their skills against each other,
turning the competition into a spectacle that showcased their balance and
competitiveness.
Sean Chen / Red Bull Content Pool
In the first sprint of the scooter race, Alex and Marc faced the challenge of maneuvering 17 bags filled with Thai silk, weighing over 150kg and stretching over 4-meters wide, leading to a collision at the first roundabout. A wide final turn by Alex resulted in a ditch encounter, enabling Marc to cross the finish line first.
In the subsequent race,
Marc and Alex navigated a course with over 200 Thai bamboo baskets stacked
almost 7-meters tall. Marc took the lead until his baskets snagged an adjacent
tree on the final straight, which allowed Alex to secure a last-minute win.
Marc and Alex’s pre-race
scooter competition not only offered a glimpse into the local Thai culture but
also fostered a playful camaraderie as they geared up for the upcoming Grand
Prix in Buriram this weekend.
“To ride the loaded
scooter was a bit strange because when you’re turning, especially when you hit
some bumps, the scooter was moving super heavy in a very aggressive way. When I
see all the scooters in Bangkok and in Buriram, even tuk tuks, I say this must
be difficult, especially in the middle of traffic. And I appreciate it a lot
because they [local riders] have really good skills,” shares Marc Marquez with
a laugh.
Alex Marquez shared
similar sentiments, stating "What I enjoyed most was the race against Marc
with the cones. We touched a few times, but it was really nice. Difficult to
manage, but really fun!”
New Team, New Challenge
The mini competition,
potentially foreshadowing what's to come, took place during the aftermath of
Marc Marquez’s announcement to join a new team next year. In a strategic move
that has sent shockwaves through the racing community, Marc and Alex will join
forces at the Gresini Ducati team in 2024, setting the stage for a narrative of
brotherly teamwork and competitive spirit.
“It will be a very nice
challenge next year competing with another manufacturer and another team, but
especially with and against my brother," Marc Marquez shares.
Despite the
whirlwind of recent changes in Marc's career, the vibe was undeniably electric,
a sentiment that is expected to resonate to the actual race event this weekend.
Marc is geared up to close out the remaining 2023 season on a high note. An
outpouring of excitement has marked Marc’s return to Thailand as he is thrilled
to reconnect with the passionate Thai fans once again.
"It’s super
nice to be back in Thailand because I have very good memories. My last
championship was here in Thailand, Buriram in 2019. Always, I’ve had a very
good connection with the Thai fans. I like them because they are very
passionate," states Marc.
Red Bull Energy Zone
Fans are invited to visit
the exclusive Red Bull Energy Zone throughout the race weekend to further
immerse themselves in the racing atmosphere. In addition to exclusive
meet-and-greet sessions with Red Bull’s riders, attendees can partake in
various on-ground activities for a chance to win official Red Bull KTM Factory
Racing merchandise. The top scorers will earn an exclusive tour of the Red Bull
KTM Factory Racing garage and will be hosted in their hospitality area on
Sunday.
And, for those interested
in delving deeper into Marc’s perseverance and journey in the racing world, the
MotoGP docu-series 'Marc
Marquez: ALL IN'
presents a unique opportunity. It showcases pivotal moments in his Honda
career, from challenging times like his 2011 crash in Malaysia that caused
diplopia and required surgery, and his 2020 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix crash
resulting in a fractured humerus, to major milestones like his 100th podium
finish.
Fans can immerse
themselves in Marc's relentless pursuit of triumph over adversity, exploring a
captivating journey through a champion's path to recovery and his determined
resolve to return to the track even stronger. Stream it FREE today on Red
Bull TV.
To
watch the full video of Marc and Alex Marquez competing in the Thailand Balance
Challenge, click HERE.
News cuts, plus rights free imagery,
is available to view and download on the Red Bull Content Pool via the
following links:
●
Thailand
Balance Challenge
For more information,
please visit the official Red Bull Philippines social media pages (TikTok | Instagram | Facebook) and its
website,
and Red Bull Motorsports’ official accounts (TikTok | Instagram | Facebook).