Marquez wins 2014 Laureus World Breakthrough award

THE youngest MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez received the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old attended the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony on Wednesday in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur after taking his 7th win and 17th podium in the premier class as the youngest reigning World Champion.

The Laureus judges noticed his achievement of winning not only six races, but also the MotoGP title at only 20 years and 266 days. Marquez also break other records such as becoming the first rider since Kenny Roberts in 1978 to win the title as a rookie.

Another record the Spaniard broke was when he won at the second round of the 2013 MotoGP calendar in Austin, Texas when he was exactly 20 years and 63 days old.

Marquez said: “I want to thank the Laureus Academy for giving me this prize. It’s a special experience for me to be here, at just 20 years of age, with so many sporting legends.

“This is one of the most important awards I have ever won. I also want to thank everyone who has helped me in my career and to win the title.”

The Repsol Honda rider received his award from motorcycle racing legends Giacomo Agostini and Mick Doohan.

Italian Valentino Rossi is another MotoGP to have won a Laureus World Sports Award: ‘Comeback of the Year’ after recovering from substantial injury in 2010.