Marquez targets magnificent seven in Texas

Spaniard has won at Austin from pole every year since its arrival in 2013

AUSTIN: Marc Marquez returns to one of his favourite hunting grounds this weekend, the MotoGP world champion intent on extending his perfect record at the Grand Prix of the Americas to seven from seven.

The Spaniard has won at Austin from pole every year since its arrival on the calendar in 2013.

He turns up for Sunday's race after a crushing 10-second success over arch-rival Valentino Rossi in Argentina.

That "perfect day" at Termas de Rio Hondo pushed Marquez up to the head of the championship standings with a four-point lead over Andrea Dovizioso before this third leg of the season.

Marquez, chasing a sixth world title in the elite division, is relishing the chance of another Texas triumph.

Austin "is one of my favourite tracks", he told his Honda team's website.

"These counter-clockwise circuits always seem to suit my style the best."

But he was wary of not allowing his accomplishments in Austin to lead to any complacency.

"Although we have achieved a lot of success here in the past, we will work as we always do from free practice one and remain focused. Every year when you go to a track there are new things to understand and adapt to."

Dovizioso has a best place runner-up finish to his name in 2015.

"Our aim is to once again be on the podium which would be almost like a win," said Ducati's Italian rider who was victorious in Qatar, adding the circuit "is not the best for us".

Marquez's new teammate, three-time former world champion Jorge Lorenzo, has had a tricky time of it since switching from Ducati.