Like last year, when he emerged as an unstoppable force in 125cc, Marc Marquez has been one of the most interesting riders to watch this season.

It initially looked like he was struggling to adjust to Moto2, with a couple of retirements and a 21st place. But since winning the fourth round of the championship – which, coincidentally, is the same point in the season that he won his first 125cc race last year – he’s been reeling in championship leader Stefan Bradl. Marquez is now only a smidgen more than a race win behind Bradl, with six races still to go.

The title isn’t out of reach of Marquez, then. He would become only the second rider, since grand prix motorcycle racing settled down to three classes in 1990, to win championships in different classes in consecutive years.

The rider who’s already done it? Dani Pedrosa: 2003 125cc World Champion, 2004 250cc World Champion. Incidentally, it took Valentino Rossi two seasons to win each class: 125cc in 1997, 250cc in 1999, 500cc in 2001.

Maintaining momentum

But of course Pedrosa hasn’t – yet (if you want to be optimistic) – managed to convert his lower class success into a premier class title.

He’s certainly not alone in that: as previously discussed, Loris Capirossi won three world championships in 125cc and 250cc, but things never quite went his way in the premier class. His retirement, announced today, is almost certainly for the best. But let’s not dwell on his recent struggles, and instead remember his not-insignificant achievements.

Suffice it to say, though, that continued championship success in MotoGP is not guaranteed for those, like Marquez, currently excelling in the lower classes.

Success from nowhere

Success isn’t always seen coming, either. Who, for example, expected Stefan Bradl to be leading the Moto2 championship? His previous best result was 4th in the 2008 125cc season, and he only won his first grand prix last year.

Or consider Casey Stoner. He was relatively anonymous before moving up to MotoGP: 29th, 12th, 8th, 5th and 2nd in the lower classes. And now look at him.

The lesson

If you’re not winning now, past success has a nasty habit of being forgotten. Unless you’re Valentino Rossi, obviously.

Photo Credits
Marc Marquez: Ben Henderson/ImageNationPhotography – Flickr – Some rights reserved
Loris Capirossi: Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports – Flickr – Some rights reserved