MotoGP Portimao: ‘We are far, qualifying will be crucial’ - Marquez

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez is back at full fitness as MotoGP’s opening round of 2023 kicks off at Portimao this weekend.

After a challenging couple of years battling multiple surgeries, recovering strength and an unrewarding RC213V, Marquez is hoping the tide is ready to turn back in his favour this season. Albeit with the most demanding calendar and schedule the Grand Prix Championship has known.

“In the end we are a team, we win together, we lose together,” Marquez said, reflecting on his recent stint with the Japanese manufacturer he’s spent the entirety of his premier class career with. “Is true that the last three years has been really tough for me, has been really tough for Honda, and we are not coming from the best situation. For that reason we are not the title contenders right now, today, Thursday in Portimao.

“We need to keep working and building that project and try to be more competitive in the future but my ambition is the same as 2013. I’m here to try to fight for the top positions.

“I will do what I have in my hands to fight for that top positions and I believe,” he continued. “I believe in the project, I believe in Honda and the championship is very long. From one day to the other day might change the situation as we see last year with Pecco [Bagnaia]. I mean he start not so good, he had many problems on the preseason but then from one race to the other one he start with a good level and he win many races in a row.”

While the Spaniard’s recovery has been a frequent headline, his Repsol squad has made many of its own. Namely with the arrival of Technical Director Ken Kawachi, from the now-disbanded Suzuki squad.

“It was a really busy winter,” Marquez explained. “We change the Technical Director, then