MotoGP champion Marc Marquez always said he wouldn't be surprised to finally lose a race. But even at༺ his most cautious the Spaniard had predicted settling for a podium under such circumstances.

Instead he crossed the Brno finish line ten-seconds from victorious Repsol Honda team-mate Dan🙈i Pedrosa and over five-seconds from Valentino Rossi and the final rostrum place.

Marquez, who began the race on pole and targeting a𒊎n all-time record of eleven straight wins at the start of a season, explained:

"Today was one of those Sunda𝕴ys in which I neither felt completely comfortable, nor had found the best set-up for the bike. It wasn't down to a mistake by me or by the team, it was simply that we didn't have the same feeling as on🅰 other Sundays.

"In a way it's ta🌜ken a weight off my shoulders, as now people won't be asking me if I can win🍎 every race anymore.

"It was also imp𒉰ortant that we were able to focus on staying in fourth, even though it was tough not to be fighting for the win; we tookꦍ 13 points that are important for the World Championship and we have a big advantage.

"What matte💮rs is who wins the title - not who wins theꦕ most races"

Despite the🔯 loss Marquez's title lead 💎stands at 77 points over Pedrosa, the equivalent of over three race wins.