That’s what reigning Champion – and Championship leader – Marc Marquez is expecting in the final four races of the year:  a three-way battle to the end against Andrea Dovizioso and Maverick Viñales.

With the story of the season having ups and downs for all three, Marquez’ ups of late – on the podium in every race since the Catalan GP bar one – have seen him able to gain a 16 point lead with 100 points still on the table.

But the season didn't get off to the best start; something that challenged Marquez to be patient and ‘revert’ to his 2016 way of thinking.

"The most difficult was the first five races,” says the five-time World Champion. “I was slow, plus taking a lot of risks, plus a lot of crashes, especially after Le Mans and Mugello and I said: ‘OK, it will be impossible’. I had the feeling from 2015, like ‘I can’t’. I was trying to be safe to be with the bike but I wasn’t able because if I was riding smooth then I finished 6th or 7th."

"And that was not the way to fight for the Championship so then I tried to change a little bit the mentality to 2016: be patient. Be patient until you have the feeling." He added

"Then we come back after Assen and again I had a good feeling with the bike, I understood the limits a little bit better than before."

"I think still I’m learning from this year, but I understand that a very small thing can change your riding style or can change completely your feeling. Every move matters of course."

source: motogp.com