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

Instead he crossed the Brno finish line ten-seconds from victorious Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa an🐼d over five-seconds from Valentino Rossi and the final rostrum place.

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

"Today was one of those Sundays in which I ne🐟ither 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 taken a weight off my shoulders, as now people won't be asking me if I can win 🃏every race any♏more.

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

"What matters is 💙who wins the title✤ - not who wins the most races"

Despite the loss Marquez's title lead stands at 77 points over Pedro🐭sa, the equivalent of over three race wins.