When it comes to Marc Marquez and the 2013 season, records seems to be tumbling by the race – not least when it comes to ‘youngest ever’ facts.

Back in Austin for Round 2, the 20-year-old Catalan stole two of Freddie Spencer’s records by becoming both the youngest ever pole-sitter and Grand Prix winner in the premier class. At the same time, he overhauled Repsol Honda Team partner Dani Pedrosa by becoming the youngest rider to have won races in all three categories.

Now, having beaten title holder Jorge Lorenzo in Jerez’s drama-filled last corner move, Marquez has become the youngest man to hold sole leadership of the World Championship. He had already hit the top in Texas, but after that race was tied on points with the Mallorcan; he now has the top spot all to himself courtesy of respective third, first and second place finishes in Qatar, Austin and Jerez.

With this new record, Marquez moves ahead of none other than Lorenzo himself, who had led the championship in his rookie season of 2008 after triumphing for the first time in the Portguese Grand Prix at Estoril.

In becoming the youngest ever sole leader of the MotoGP (formerly 500 class) Riders’ Standings, Marquez (aged 20 years and 77 days on Sunday) moved ahead of four-time champion Mike Hailwood (who topped the championship after the 1961 Isle of Man TT, at the age of 21 years and 75 days) and two-time premier class crown-clincher Freddie Spencer (who led the standings after the 1983 South African Grand prix at Kyalami, aged 21 years and 89 days).

Meanwhile, the maneuver between Marquez and Lorenzo at Jerez’s now infamous Turn 13 – ironically named ‘Jorge Lorenzo corner’ since Saturday – not only denied Lorenzo of the championship lead, but gave the newcomer yet another fact to be proud of: being the youngest ever rider to celebrate three consecutive rostrum results.

via MotoGP