Marc Marquez already won his second title in as many seasons in MotoGP three races ago in Japan, but it's another amazing mark the Spaniard is going to be eyeing after his victory Sunday on the Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Marquez's 12th victory of the season ties him with legendary Australian Mick Doohan, who won 12 of 15 races in 1997. Marquez has won 12 of 17 races this season, with only Valencia left to close out the schedule on Nov. 9.
"I've equaled Mick Doohan's record," he told reporters after the race. "With one race left, maybe I can beat it. If I had a bad result here the pressure in Valencia would be more.
"But now I am free in Valencia and I can do well for my fans and just enjoy it."
The Honda rider fell back as far as ninth at the start, but was back up to third by the second of 20 laps around the 3.4-mile track. He pulled away from Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi of Italy and Jorge Lorenzo of Spain to cruise to a comfortable 2.445-second winning margin.
Nicky Hayden of Owensboro, Kentucky, continued to struggle, crashing out on the sixth lap.
With Marquez's victory, Honda claimed its 21st Contructor's Championship at motorcycle racing's premier level for road bikes.