Marquez's advice to Oliveira

From the outside, the Honda and KTM look the most physical bikes to ride on the MotoGP grid.

Such similarities have not been lost on Tech3 rookie Miguel Oliveira, who is said to be looking for tips on how to get more from his KTM by studying the way world champion Marc Marquez rides the Repsol Honda.

So does Marquez have any advice for the Portuguese, who is rumoured to have already secured a contract extension courtesy of his impressive early-season form.

“It’s difficult because I don’t know the bike,” said Marquez. “First of all, I think the advice is try to understand what Pol [Espargaro] is doing because at the moment he is the fastest KTM.

“Then when he will arrive at the same level as Pol, try to understand how to take the best performance from the KTM.”

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The seven-time world champion also warned that appearances can be deceptive.

“Of course it looks like the KTM is a similar bike to the Honda, but it depends on the chassis and especially the KTM has a special chassis, a steel chassis, so I think it’s another concept.”

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Marquez, seeking to regain the title lead after falling in Austin, was second fastest to Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci on day one at Jerez.

Oliveira – best MotoGP finish of eleventh so far – had a more difficult day, outpacing only team-mate Hafizh Syahrin with a best lap time 1.865s from the top.