MotoGP Sepang J2 Test Marc Márquez (9/Honda): “I do more laps every day than the day before”

The reigning World Champion set the twelfth time on the first day in 1'59.676, 0.731 behind the best time of fabio quartararo, but the important thing was above all that he had managed to complete 37 laps despite his recently painful shoulder surgery. After 92 rehabilitation sessions, and 250 hours between the gym and the swimming pool, it was time to continue his fitness, this time on his RC213V.

Estimating himself at around 60% of his physical possibilities, Marc Marquez had set himself the objective of covering 45 laps this Saturday, in order to prepare for the Qatar Grand Prix which will take place in exactly a month. Curiously, he completed his 45th lap 45 minutes from the end of this second day of testing. At that time he was in seventh place in 1'59.097, 0.456 behind the then leader. Jack Miller, on his Ducati Pramac. Marc finally finished ninth with his 1'59.097, but this time 0.525 behind first, Fabio Quartararo.

His main driving handicap caused by his shoulder pain was the fact that he couldn't put his elbow down on the track as much as usual. This was an obvious problem based on his style and control of the front end of his Honda. Most of his work this Saturday consisted of adapting the RC213V's new engine to the new Michelin tire.

Marc fell without seriousness at the end of the session, in Turn 3 during his 47th lap. He was then taken back to his stand where he ended his test day and began the debriefing with his team of technicians. The positive side was that Marc could have completed more than 47 laps without this small fall, which was a good indication for his shoulder. The bike was slightly damaged during this fall, one of its mechanics being able to push it alone while driving towards the stand. “It was a slow fall, I was off the path and I wasn't attacking” Marc clarified afterwards.

According to Marc Marquez, “I'm very happy today because the shoulder was better than yesterday, that's good. Unfortunately we had a crash, which seemed big but happened slowly, so I'm fine, but it shows that we have to stay 100% focused because there is no room for small mistakes with my current physical condition.

“The day ended before the crash, so that didn't stop us from doing what we needed to do, the goal was 45 laps today. Tomorrow we will do more laps to continue to understand the new tires and our own changes. »

“I don’t know why but I lost the front. There is not much damage to the bike. »

“We worked well. We are working really hard on the bike. We test the new engine, the new electronics and also to understand the new tires which change the balance of the bike a lot. »

“The objectives of this test were to do 35 laps on the first day and 45 on the second. I succeeded and tomorrow, if I feel good, I will try to do 50.

“The Honda is a physical bike and if you're not 100% you struggle. I'm trying to feel better on the bike. But for now it's a bit difficult to try something on the chassis. »

“To be able to say that the bike is good, before I have to feel good to ride it correctly. At the start of the day, it's good but then, little by little, my condition worsens throughout my body and especially in my shoulder. »

“The character of the engine is similar to the previous one, maybe we have a little more acceleration and top speed. I would say it's an evolution, but at the moment I'm focusing on the corners because last year I suffered a lot in this area. I'm improving little by little even if everything seems very close to 2019."

“It seems that the most dangerous competitors are Viñales, Quartararo and the Suzuki riders Mir and Rins, at least on this circuit. We'll see how they perform during a race weekend, because that's what makes the difference. I don't know how much they have improved this winter, we will see it in the first races because last year they were doing very well on some circuits but in others our engine was superior. Anyway, the grip here in Malaysia is really good and that's why they're all going really fast, and tomorrow it'll be even faster. I think we should see how it goes in Qatar, especially with the new tyres. »

“These new tires are probably what helps Suzuki and Yamaha a little. They seem to change the balance of the bike and it also changes the settings of the electronics. They certainly give us more grip at the rear but it changes everything on the bike. »

“The goal for 2020 is to win the championship, obviously race after race I will understand how to win it but I already understood that this year. It will be very difficult to finish in the best positions in each race but that was also the case last year. »

The fastest Honda during last year's Sepang winter testing clocked a 1'58.780 driven by Cal Crutchlow (sixth). Then during the Malaysian Grand Prix, the best qualified was that of Cal who was positioned 5th on the grid in 1'58.951. The best time for a Honda in the race was 3rd in 1'59.935, credited to Marc Márquez.

Ranking of the second day of testing: