Source: Supplied.

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has claimed victory at the Superprestigio Dirt Track event in Barcelona, Spain, last weekend, reclaiming the crown after accepting defeat in 2015.

Marquez escaped an early scuffle in the Superfinal and continued to charge through with former Moto2 world champion Toni Elias in tow. Elias was unable to catch Marquez, settling for the runner-up position after 16 gruelling laps.

America’s Brad Baker finish a further four seconds behind Marquez and Elias to conclude the podium in third, while Xavier Simeon and Gerard Bailo rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively.

Marquez stated he was relieved to win the event after finishing just shy last year, revealing himself and the team approached the dirt track race as if was a grand prix to ensure they ended the weekend victorious.

“I’m really happy because last year I was so close and this year I got it,” Marquez explained. “I know what I did wrong in 2015 so I tried not to do it again. The pace was really good, maybe the best year, and that’s also why my team has arrived here and almost treated it like a GP – I hope everyone has enjoyed the party.”