Raul Fernandez’s most convincing MotoGP win to date demonstrated his “maturity” and how he has “truly become a professional athlete,” according to Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks.
The Spaniard recovered from Sprint disappointment, when he crashed out of podium contention, to dominate Sunday’s 20-lap race by leading from start to finish.
“It shows the maturity and the fact he’s truly become a professional athlete,” Marks told assembled media afterward. “Everyone grows at a different pace.”
The win came days after confirmation that Fernandez would stay with the American team for two more years. These performances, when the future was less clear, ultimately convinced Marks to sign him for two further years.
“We didn’t expect Ai [Ogura] to make the decision he did [to leave the team] when he did,” continued Marks. “We went to work figuring out what our future looked like on that side of the garage. At the same time Raul had to be patient. He was uncertain. In that period, he performed. Then he signed a contract and he performed. To be able to go out there and do the job no matter what’s happening in the garage, the hospitality or at home—that’s the mark of a great athlete.CN
