Marc Marquez in the gym
As Marc Marquez prepares to defend his crown when MotoGP 2018 pre-season testing kicking off today at Sepang, with the help of Red Bull, we bring you this video feature where the 24-year-old details his fitness training regimen.
![Marc Marquez (SPA) got his medal following a stunning 2017 - taking his fourth MotoGP crown in five years](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Marc-Marquez-1024x920.jpg)
The four-time champion knows he will have to be at his best again to see off the Ducati rider as well as the likes of Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, Italian legend Valentino Rossi and Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales.
![The 2017 MotoGP World Champion: Marc Márquez](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2017-MotoGP-FIM-Awards-Ceremony-Marquez-1-1024x567.jpg)
His punishing off-season fitness regime is testament to the tenacious drive that propels the 24-year-old towards beating Giacomo Agostini’s record of eight titles on a 500cc motorbike.
![Marc Marquez](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Marc-Marquez-Fitness-7-MX-1024x576.jpg)
He started the regime aged just 11 with a complex mix of gym work and motorcross riding to fine tune his body and reactions.
![Marc Marquez](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Marc-Marquez-Fitness-4-1024x619.jpg)
The Cervera native places a strong emphasis on core work to help navigate the continuous track bends as well as elasticity to prevent injury on the rare occasions he rolls off into the gravel.
![Marc Marquez](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Marc-Marquez-Fitness-10-1024x683.jpg)
He revealed, “The upper trunk is most important. The abdomen too because you move from side to side when riding the bike and you need to remain very stable.
![Marc Marquez](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Marc-Marquez-Fitness-6-1024x683.jpg)
“Physically your legs go through a lot of work because ultimately you are pushing away from the groud and your other leg is pressing against the bike.”
![Marc Marquez](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Marc-Marquez-Fitness-5-1024x829.jpg)
Added to that, he still races motocross bikes on fast changing dirt tracks to improve his reactions and improvisation.
![Marc Marquez](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Marc-Marquez-Fitness-8-MX-1024x683.jpg)
It remains to be seen whether it will be enough to secure a fifth title this year to match Australian hero Mick Doohan on the all-time list, nevertheless the new 2018 season is sure to have fans cheering at every turn.