Marc Márquez’s fans gathered this afternoon in Cervera (Lleida) to offer a well-deserved homage to the young Repsol rider, who had a brilliant season. The Motorcycling World Championship season that finished yesterday was full of success for Marc Márquez, despite being his debut year in the intermediate class. Of the 15 Grand Prix held this season, the young rider finished on the podium in 11 occasions, seven of them victories. Numbers that gained the Repsol rider the title of Rookie of the Year and to receive the Michel Meatraux prize as best rider with the votes of his fellow riders in the class.
Coming from Valencia, where the 2011 Motorcycling World Championship finished yesterday, Márquez arrived this afternoon to his home town and enjoyed the signs of affection from his countrymen, fans, friends, family and sponsors. The Repsol rider talked to all his fans from a stage placed in one of the squares of the town located in Lleida. Márquez thanked his neighbours for their support and enjoyed his return home, surrounded by his people and looking forward to a well-deserve holiday after his intense first season in Moto2, but with his sights already on the 2012 Motorcycling World Championship.
Earlier right after race day Marc received a surprise homage from his team, family and sponsors. Despite being forced to watch the race from his box with his family, Marc Márquez, the best rookie of the season, lived one of the most emotional moments of the year, this time out of the track. With the aid of his sponsors, team, family, media and all who have lived the intense moments of this season with him, the rider from Cervera received today a worm and emotional homage from his environment to put an end to his first season in the intermediate category.
While Izaskun Ruiz, from TVE, was interviewing the Repsol rider and without him noticing it, all members of his team, family and sponsors put on shirts specially made for the occasion that read: “Marc Márquez, Rookie of the Year”. It was a nice surprise for Marc to see everyone wearing the shirt when he looked back and to receive a warm applause. An ovation to the new winner of the Michel Meatraux Trophy as Moto2 rookie of 2011 for his brilliant season.
An emotional Marc said to the media : “I am very happy with the reception they prepared for me. After a season we finished with an injury and without being able to compete in the last races, to see my fans and the people who support me, both in the good and the bad moments, is important for me and gives me strength to recover and to start working for the next season. Although we finished second, we had a great season. Let’s see if next year we can change number 2 for number 1. I was moved to see the surprise that all my team, family and sponsors prepared for me. It was very emotional, really. All of them do a great effort every day so that we can enjoy together this wonderful sport. I hope I am able to pay back of their support with lots of successes. Thank you very much to all!”.
