Photo courtesy BarcelonaDTX.com
Dec. 13, 2014 — Marc Marquez put in some serious practice time on his flat track bike this year and it showed. The MotoGP World Champion won in a thriller over AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees in the Superprestigio final Saturday in Barcelona.
The 12-lap finale got off to a ragged start, but it was Marquez and Mees ultimately clearing to the front of the pack. Mees chased down Marquez in the closing laps and looked for a way around, but couldn’t quite find it and it was Marquez racing to a popular win in front of a cheering Spanish crowd at St Jordi Arena.
Marquez’ margin of victory over Mees was 0.298 seconds. American Kenny Noyes finished third.
Marquez was highly entertaining all night, not shying away from contact and running wildly varying lines through the qualifying and final of his division.
Mees was on the other hand was smooth and dominant in all of his qualifying races prior to the big finale, pulling away to easy victories in each race, setting up a showdown in the main between the champions of their respective series.
Last January’s winner Brad Baker was out before it started, having separated his shoulder in the afternoon qualifying session. Shayna Texter fell in one of her heats and didn’t score enough points to make it to the final of her division.
In the finale the pack blasted out of the Supercross-style gate and going into the first turn contact was made with Mees and Marquez involved in the fray and losing ground. Mees’ bike actually stalled, but he was able to restart it on the roll. The two rallied and quickly broke back into second and third. Noyes led the first half of the race, but with six laps to go Marquez made his move and took over the point. Mees wasted no time and also dispatched Noyes to break into second.
The closing laps were thrilling. It’s just what the crowd came to see – Marquez battling with the American Grand National Champion. Mees closed the gap with two or three laps to go and made one or two attempts to try to get around, but Marquez showed tremendous skill in holding off Mees to the checkered flag.
Fans in the packed arena were thrilled at seeing Marquez take the victory and gave him a standing ovation on his cool-down lap. He then got off his bike ran around the track throwing his goggles and gloves into the crowd. Mees and Marquez then gave each other a big hug, both having enjoyed the spirited competition.
