Marc Marquez meets Freddie Spencer

Marc Marquez, who beat Freddie Spencer's long held record as the youngest 500cc/MotoGP race winner earlier this year, met the American for the first time at a special Alpinestars event in France this weekend.

Spencer set his win record on 4th July 1982, at the age of 20 years and 196 days, in the 500cc Belgium Grand Prix. It was finally broken when Marquez won in only his second MotoGP appearance, at the age of 20 years 63 days, in Austin, Texas.

"It's great," Spencer said. "Hopefully, Marc may hold the record as long as I did; 31 years. For Marc to come along now and to perform like he has is great. Great to see, great for the sport!"

After his first win, Spencer went on to claim a total of 20 premier-class victories and two 500cc crowns. For Marquez and many others, Spencer's greatest achievement was winning both the 500cc and 250cc titles in '85, a feat unlikely to be repeated

"I saw many videos and from what people explained to me, Freddie was always more or less like me, always pushing, never was enough," said Marquez. "When you see he competed in two World Championships on a Sunday .... now this I cannot imagine."

Marquez - who has won grand prix titles in the 125cc and Moto2 catagories - will be chasing his second MotoGP victory, in front of his home fans, at Catalunya this weekend.