Marquez pays tribute to Munandar

Marc Marquez has given a special tribute to Afridza Munandar who was killed after an accident in Race 1 of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup at Sepang and says his passing is a reminder of ‘the risks for the sweet moments’ all riders take.

The Repsol Honda rider joined the minute’s silence held to honour the 20-year-old’s death at Sepang and was visibly upset by the tragic accident having met the Indonesian rider through their Honda links.

Marquez pays tribute to Munandar

Marc Marquez has given a special tribute to Afridza Munandar who was killed after an accident in Race 1 of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup at Sepang and says his passing is a reminder of ‘the risks for the sweet moments’ all riders take.

The Repsol Honda rider joined the minute’s silence held to honour the 20-year-old’s death at Sepang and was visibly upset by the tragic accident having met the Indonesian rider through their Honda links.

Marquez saw Munandar as a promising young talent with the Indonesian rider fighting for the Asia Talent Cup title this weekend.

In his tribute Marquez says Munandar’s passing came as a reminder of the risks all riders take while racing and that they must still enjoy the success through the tragic loss. Marquez saw younger brother Alex Marquez seal the Moto2 world title at Sepang before he finished runner-up in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

“It was an emotional day after yesterday’s very bad news for the motorcycle world,” Marquez said. “We lost one young rider Munandar. He was a young talent, a young rider from Indonesia and I knew him from Astra Honda and we spent a lot of time there.

“We cannot forget that everyone here knows and realises the risks that we take on track. We take the risks to arrive at the sweet moments and to achieve our goals.

“When we achieve our goals we need to enjoy it. Today we are enjoying it for him because he was looking for these moments. He was pushing and riding for his passion and he will always be the most special rider of the GP.

“Today a sweet moment arrived for my brother and a sweet moment for me but of course Munandar was also looking for that. In the end he lost his life, we lost him, but he was riding for his passion and this is the best thing. Rest in peace.”

Munandar succumbed to his injuries sustained in an incident on Lap 1 at Turn 10 during the opening race of the Asia Talent Cup at Sepang, despite the best efforts of the medical teams at the circuit and at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital where he was taken by medical helicopter.

With all Asia Talent Cup riders opting to complete Race 2 on Sunday in his honour, the Indonesian rider ends the season third overall having claimed two wins plus four additional rostrums.

The Asia Talent Cup has also honoured Munandar by retiring his number 4 from the competition.

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