Marc Marquez: King of the kerb

"It is strange because sometimes the grip is better on the kerb than the circuit" - Marc Marquez.

27 Aug 2014

One of the unique aspects of MotoGP champion Marc Marquez's extreme riding style is the amount of kerb he uses.

"Now everybody starts to do it, but yeah especially to cut the corner I like to use the kerbs. Maybe Casey [Stoner] started it," said Marquez, whose ten-race win streak was broken by Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa last time at Brno.

When did you start doing it?

"In Moto2. In Moto3/125 it is impossible because the wheel is too small and you feel a lot the kerb and you cannot carry the speed mid-corner. In Moto2 I started to do it in some corners - because I saw Casey, being honest!

"Now in MotoGP it is easier, but it depends on the circuit and the type of kerb."

While most riders are unsurprisingly cautious at putting too much faith in the painted edge, Marquez insists he can sometimes find more grip on the kerb than the asphalt. However appearances can be deceptive.

"It is strange because sometimes the grip is better on the kerb than the circuit. But normally it is difficult and in some corners, with the scooter on the Thursday, I think 'here I can cut the kerb'. But then on the bike it is impossible and you do the normal line."

Marquez takes a 77-point lead into this weekend's British MotoGP.