Test Qatar, Marquez: “Good race pace, but far from Bagnaia”

With respect to the previous tests in Malaysia, the latest MotoGP test in Qatar has been decidedly more encouraging for Marc Marquez, who closes fourth with a best time of 1'51.355 aboard the Team Gresini Ducati Desmosedici. The Spaniard knows he still has significant room to improve, particularly considering he is used to a bike as different as the Honda, but he is already showing signs of competitiveness.

Marquez: “My weak point? The time attack”

“I immediately felt comfortable on the bike here in Qatar and was able to better focus on my body and riding position, so I can say that there’s been an improvement in this respect”, explains Marc, whose feet remain firmly on the ground. “Instinct means that I’m still riding as I did with the Honda, but the Ducati is a totally different bike and so I’m slowly changing my style”.

“The time attack went quite well, but for now the flying lap continues to be my weak point. I was very fast in terms of race pace though and also found the limit, as my turn 4 crash demonstrates”, continues #93. “All in all, both me and the team can be pleased, though we’re still a long way off with respect to Bagnaia, Bastianini and Martin, who remain the reference”.