HOHENSTEIN-ERNSTTHAL, GERMANY – JULY 12: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team celebrates the victory on the podium at the end of the MotoGP race during the MotoGp of Germany – Race at Sachsenring Circuit on July 12, 2015 in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Marc Marquez is currently the hottest rider on two wheels. The 23-year-old Spaniard has already become a three-time MotoGP champion (2013, 2014 and 2016) and is already solidly in the top ten in career wins, with many years to come. But while the World Champion has become a superstar, Marquez never forgot his roots and keeps his family close.

Marquez has shown this by spending each winter offseason living with his parents and still sleeps in his childhood bunk bed, living with his younger brother and best friend Alex, who also races motorcycles.

In a New York Times profile, Marquez provided a glimpse of his life as he becomes a worldwide racing phenomenon. Marquez keeps his life incredibly down to earth. Even though he makes about $11 million a year, Marquez prefers to be close to his family in his childhood home.

“I understand others might want to spend the winter in a place like the Maldives, but this is where I have always been and still really want to be,” Márquez said. “Of course my life is not exactly what it used to be, but if you look at my entourage — my family, friends and manager — the change has been zero. And here I can also train with my best friend, my brother.”

Marquez is also thankful for the sacrifices his family has made for his racing career. His parents would sometimes skip going out to eat in order to buy the equipment needed for Marc and Alex to race. And when both parents lost of jobs due to the Spanish economy tanking, they have been able to travel with the boys around the world to watch them race, becoming a bit of a lesson in disguise.

One reason that Marquez has been able to be so successful is his aggressive style in how he powers through the corners. Usually, riders turn and get low enough for them to stick their knee out to balance weight and turn easier. Marquez is able to stick his knee and elbow and have both hit the asphalt to turn.

(Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

But because of that more aggressive style, Marquez inches closer and closer to the limit every time he races. And unlike four-wheeled racing where the driver is strapped in a car, motorcycle racing is a lot more dangerous form of racing. A lot of safety features can be created among the cars to ensure the driver is less likely to be seriously injured or killed.

For motorcycle racing, there isn’t really much that can be done except for the helmet and leathers on the rider as well as on-track barriers since the rider is exposed. For this, the Marquez brothers know more than anyone that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and want to spend as much time with their loved ones as much as possible.

[New York Times]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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