Czech MotoGP: Honda’s Marc Marquez joins legendary trio with his 50th career race victory

Honda’s Marc Marquez has roared to victory in the Czech MotoGP — his sixth triumph of 2019 — but it was his other achievement to join some of the sport’s greats which was the most significant.

Spain's Marc Marquez celebrates his sixth MotoGP victory this year.

Defending MotoGP champion Marc Marquez resumed the 2019 season after the mid-year break, leading from start to finish to claim victory in the Czech GP in Brno.

Australian Ducati rider Jack Miller pinched a stunning third place, passing Alex Rins’s Suzuki late in the race to grab his second podium of the year.

Ducati factory Andrea Dovizioso was second behind Marquez’s Honda but never threatened the championship leader who extended his leads to 63 points with his sixth triumph of 2019.

Marquez became just the fourth rider to claim 50 premier class wins, along with Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini.

Miller stayed with the leading pack all the way after starting from second on the grid, then pushed past Rins on the second-last lap.

Spanish rider Marc Marquez sprays champagne to celebrate his 50th career victory.

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The result was just Miller’s third ever podium in MotoGP class and should confirm his contract to stay with the Pramac Ducati team for 2020.

Miller said he could see Rins was struggling with rear tyre wear as the race progressed.

MOTOGP CONTRACT: MILLER’S DUCATI DEAL FOR 2020 DAYS AWAY

Marc Marquez at full tilt around the Automotodrom Brno in the Czech Republic.

“I felt I stayed rather calm and I saw that Rins was spinning quite a bit.

“I bided my time and waited.

“We’ve pushed really hard the past few races and it’s really great to be in parc ferme.’’

Rain delayed the race by 40 minutes and it was shortened to 20 laps.

Yamaha had a miserable day, their best rider on the day being Rossi in sixth.

The Marquez brothers again completed the race double, Alex claiming the Moto2 chequered flag. Australian Remy Gardner finished 16th and just out of the points.

Originally published as Czech MotoGP: Honda’s Marc Marquez joins legendary trio with his 50th career race victory