Marc Marquez: Fast, fun, sliding the bike… job done
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A month ago, it was still doubtful whether Marc Marquez would even be fit to ride in the pair of MotoGP pre-season tests.But his double-vision problems improved just in time for the Sepang test, where he finished a close eighth fastest on the all-new Honda RC213V.Struggling for general fitness after two and a half months of enforced rest, Marquez didn’t waste energy on a time attack during the final day of the following Mandalika test, which concluded on Sunday.But the eight-time world champion felt a “big difference” in his form compared to Sepang, “enjoying” himself on the bike and setting an average pace comparable to the likes of Fabio Quartararo and team-mate Pol Espargaro.Related Quartararo ‘fast, ready’ but M1 on the limit, ‘nightmare’ race simulation Mandalika MotoGP Test Results, Indonesia – Sunday, Day 3 (FINAL)”It’s true that I was fast, in a good pace, riding well,” Marquez said. “When I tried different set-ups, still the lap time was coming. I tried different aerodynamics, the lap time was coming. I tried different tyres, medium rear and soft rear, the lap time was coming. When you have this feeling it’s because the potential is there.”It’s true that it’s a special track also, it was slippery and in these conditions normally I feel really good. But by the end the grip was very high. So I’m happy because we go leave the Mandalika test with the job done.Related ‘Turn 1 is breaking up’ – track repairs needed ahead of Mandalika MotoGP race? ‘My reflexes were not good’ – Fernandez halts testing after another fall”I still need more to get this special feeling with the bike, but the lap time was coming, so happy.”I enjoyed it a lot on the bike and that was the way to survive [the last day] because I was very tired from the beginning. I think everybody was. But today I felt pain on the shoulder and for that reason I didn’t make a time attack, because you use too much power.”So I just kept my race pace, worked on the set-up of the bike and I enjoyed it. I started to feel the bike, I started to feel the slides. I want to reconfirm this feeling in Qatar of course. But it was a big difference, comparing Malaysia to here.””4Marquez was 14th on the final day in terms of one-off lap time, 0.733s from team-mate Pol Espargaro.
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