The eight-time world champion completed pre-season in thirteenth place, sandwiched between fellow RCV riders Joan Mir and Alex Rins, with Takaaki Nakagami in twentieth place.
“I solely did one assault in opposition to the clock,” stated Marquez, whose day was interrupted by a technical challenge within the morning after which a crash at Flip 1.
“The lap time was not unhealthy and in T1-2-3 I used to be very quick. However I misplaced every thing in T4. So for the GP I’ve to work on that.
After a winter spent leaping between new elements, bikes and radical concepts, the Spaniard lastly had the prospect to deal with set-up together with his favourite bike on Sunday.
Nevertheless, that package deal was the identical one he had chosen on the finish of the Sepang take a look at in February, which means new concepts and elements for Portugal had not been delivered.
“Sadly among the issues that Honda anticipated to work at this monitor did not work as anticipated,” Marquez confirmed. “We had been using the identical bike immediately, for instance, as a result of we completed in Malaysia.”
On the plus facet, Marquez was a lot nearer to Ducati take a look at chief and defending champion Francesco Bagnaia – the rider he named favourite for the approaching yr – throughout his race simulation.
“It is true that we modified a bit with the settings, my workforce organized a very good plan and we took a couple of steps and I felt higher and higher,” he stated. “I used to be capable of work on the rhythm a bit as a result of once you strive various things on every run, issues are tougher.
“My predominant focus immediately was the long term. As a result of 12 laps in a row was (vital), even to grasp my health. And immediately on this lengthy race, I used to be in a very good tempo added Marquez, whose common lap time was round 0.3-0.4s in comparison with Bagnaia’s Dash simulation tempo.
However when it got here to the season-opening race weekend, to be held on the identical monitor later this month, Marquez felt a podium end was a stretch within the present state of play. issues.
“For Portimao, we will not take into consideration the rostrum and we will not take into consideration successful. We’ve got to consider what we now have, attempt to take one of the best and we’ll see,” he stated.
“Additionally the circumstances will change and the rubber on the monitor, but when the race was tomorrow we will struggle from fifth to tenth I feel.”
However that does not imply a rider who has battled 4 arm surgical procedures and two eye accidents in latest seasons is about to surrender.
“After all we now have to consider in it and in the mean time everybody has zero factors within the standings. After 5-6 races you’ll perceive the place you’re,” he stated.
“But it surely’s true that we now have to take a step. We’ve got to maintain bettering, however you may’t begin the season with a destructive mentality.
“Attempt to discover one of the best and if it’s a must to struggle for the highest 5, attempt to struggle for the highest 5. If it’s a must to struggle for the highest 10, attempt to struggle for the highest 10.
“Will probably be the important thing to the season. Should you begin the season with a destructive mentality, will probably be a really lengthy season with 42 races.
