MotoGP, Marc Marquez: “The mark on my arm? It’s not the only one”

Marc Marquez rounded out the MotoGP practice sessions at Mandalika in just twenty-second place, almost last in fact. Only Darryn Binder and Luca Marini finished behind the number 93 rider who, if he’s looking for an excuse, can find it in his crash: "What’s happened has happened”, he comments, “it wasn’t the right time to crash, but it can happen on a flying lap. Anyway, if I analyse my Friday, I’m pleased. Sure, without the crash I wouldn’t have been outside the top ten, in fact I’m already focusing on tomorrow, when I’ll try to get inside that top ten".

The eight-time champion is working in preparation for Sunday’s race: "In terms of race pace, I feel good. Compared to the tests, it’s harder to find a good rhythm now, but I feel good anyway. We’ve tested different tyre solutions, so we’re ready to see how it goes. We still have room to improve. I think the medium compound is the best solution, but there’s still a question mark as to the tyres. Tomorrow we’ll try the soft solutions and see how they are".

The new Honda MotoGP: Marc likes it more and more

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We know that HRC has developed a new bike, different to the 2021 version and ready to be discovered and interpreted. And fine-tuned too of course. Marc is beginning to appreciate the new RC213V: “We’ve changed the setting a little, adapting it more towards my needs. And I’m starting to feel better on it. It’s still like riding a new bike, but it’s not at all bad. My confidence is growing, I like it".

Michelin has brought different specifications to Indonesia compared to those used in testing. Marc and the Repsol team are working on it: “The new rear tyre needs to be understood. Pol Espargaró also struggled to understand the reactions, but he was very fast this morning anyway. I need to understand how he’s able to flex the rear tyre, the sensations aren’t bad. It’s not a disaster.”

Is that mark from today’s crash? The question comes spontaneously, as we look at Marc’s left arm. The response? "Yes, but this isn’t the only one I have – he laughs – to tell the truth, I felt better before the crash. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow".

Translated by Heather Watson

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