Baker wins Superprestigio as Marquez takes class win

AMA Flattrack champion Brad ‘the Bullet’ Baker has become the first person to win two Superprestigio titles, by taking victory from double world champion and four-time AMA champon Jared Mees in the third running of the event.

Baker also won the Open class en route to winning the combined ‘superfinal’ race from last year’s champion Marquez, while the Spaniard won the Superprestigio class from Moto2 racer Xavi Vierge and World Endurance rider Dani Ribalta.

Baker was the stand-out rider of the night, holding off the advances of fellow American Mees, and it was only Marquez in the closing stages of the final race that was able to run him close.

Even that wasn’t good enough for the local hero, though, with Baker fending off a last lap lunge from him to ensure the chequered flag.

However, Marquez was quick to take the defeat good naturedly, joking afterwards that every year the Americans visit is another year for him to learn how to beat them.

“I tried until the last corner, but I couldn’t do it. But with another year I’ve learnt so much from them, and they’re racing all year against each other on their Harley Davisons, on their Hondas, and I’m just happy to be on the podium for one more year!”