Marc Marquez Wins Superprestigio, K&N-sponsored Tony Elias and Brad Baker Podium

The Superprestigio podium winners (left to right): Toni Elias, Marc Marquez, and Brad Baker

The event draws superstars from many racing disciplines who all hope to claim the top podium spot. In this year’s event, AMA Superbike standout Toni Elias was on the grid to try his hand at the dirt oval with the other elite racers. Elias is a racer for the K&N-sponsored road racing team of Yoshimura Suzuki.

Spanish rider Marquez confirmed he can compete at the highest level on both the MotoGP tarmac and the Superprestigio dirt. Marquez raced to the win as several other competitors were forced out by crashes and injury in the super-competitive racing.

Marc Marquez wheelies past the checkered flag for the Sperprestigio win

“This is my second win in the Superprestigio Dirt Track, but it has been the most competitive edition!” said Marquez. “I’m so happy with this result but Toni’s pace was impressive! I think every one of us had an extra pressure and this is why some of us did fall during the heats. I’m glad that Simón, Cardús, and Cecchini are all fine! This is a party!”

Elias’ performance was jaw-dropping as he was not seen as a contender for the podium going into the event. While he is certainly a star on the Superbike circuit, the dirt oval is seemingly out of his racing wheelhouse. However, his pace was blazing and he fought off every attack by Baker.

“I wasn’t expecting to get in the Superfinal, and I need to thank my team,” Elias said. “It has been a perfect day, I managed to keep the pace in the Superfinal and this second place is almost like a win! Every time I tried to approach Marc he replied to me showing he’s the big boss in this arena. Congrats to the organization for putting down such a fantastic show!”

An all-star lineup of racers fly out of the Superprestigio starting gate

Baker has proven himself in prior Superprestigios as the man to beat. In this, the 4th edition, Marquez and Elias were up to the task, but Baker’s performance was again impressive. His battle with Elias for the second and third step of the podium was fantastic.

“Well, first off, this event, this time that I come over and spend in Spain is something that I’ll remember forever,” Baker said. “It’s been something that is very important to me and the people that I’ve met here in Spain and for the Superprestigio – it’s irreplaceable. I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve had a really good time here at the Superprestigio, but it’s like the pressure to win and to produce for Flat Track, it gets more intense every single year, everybody else gets better. But I’m just thankful to be a part of that and that Flat Track is here and the Superprestigio is getting bigger and everyone else is growing with it.”

Baker went on to say that bringing American-style flat track to the rest of the world is great for the sport. K&N congratulates all of the Superprestigio winners and we are especially proud of our sponsored riders Baker and Elias.