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Marquez: Martin is favourite for Moto3 crown in 2018

Marc Marquez has named Jorge Martin as the favourite to succeed Joan Mir and take the 2018 Moto3 crown.

Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3

Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Podium: Race winner Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3
Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3
Marc Marquez with participants
Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3
Podium: Race winner Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3
Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3
Aron Canet, Estrella Galicia 0,0
Aron Canet, Estrella Galicia 0,0
Aron Canet, Estrella Galicia 0,0
Aron Canet, Estrella Galicia 0,0

Martin has been a Moto3 regular since 2015 and, after two seasons at Mahindra, he became a regular frontrunner last season with the Gresini Honda squad.

He was the dominant force in qualifying, topping nine of the 18 sessions, but had to wait until the very last race of the season in Valencia to finally clinch his maiden victory.

Martin ended up fourth in the standings, behind runaway champion Mir, Romano Fenati and Aron Canet, despite missing two races due to injury.

Marquez praised Martin for his qualifying speed, and reckons the 19-year-old will be the favourite in 2018.

"Martin is very fast but with more experience next year, he will be one of the, or maybe my favourite one for the title," said Marquez. "He is very fast in one lap.

"I remember in 125cc I was also very hot in one lap but then in the races, especially in Moto3, you need to be smart, understand well, think a lot on the bike and have the experience."

"Maybe sometimes in Moto3 the fastest one didn't win. Of course this year Mir was the fastest on track, he was the smart guy."

With 2017 champion and runner-up Mir and Fenati moving to Moto2 next year, Canet and Martin, who were separated by three points, are the highest-placed returnees in 2018.

Martin was clear to say the title is his goal, with an aim to do every race like he did in Valencia.

"From now on, we must face every race the same way we did in Valencia," he said.

"If from now on we work the same way, we will be able to be competitive and fight for the title. The goal is the same, but perhaps last year our expectations were still a bit high."

Canet aims to eclipse Martin

Canet echoed Martin's goal, the Estrella Galicia Honda rider expecting 2018 to be "one of the most difficult and interesting Moto3 championships".

"We have what it takes to be in front in every grand prix, but we will have to see what happens throughout the season.

"The main rivals will be [Fabio] di Giannantonio, Martin, [Marcos] Ramirez, [Nicolo] Bulega and [Andrea] Migno.

"I think it will be a difficult year and we will face one of the most difficult and interesting Moto3 championships.

"To be a world champion you have to find the balance between believing in it, consistency, and having your feet on the ground.

"If you put all of that into practice, you end up taking the championship."

Additional reporting by German Garcia Casanova and Carlos Guil Iglesias

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