MotoGP Sepang Test: ‘The bike has potential, the speed is there’ - Marquez

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez completed the first MotoGP test of 2022 ‘happy, tired’ and eighth overall, just 0.2s off the top time.

A difficult couple of years marred with injury issues and rehabilitation, most recently the Diplopia diagnosis last October, had forced the Repsol rider to take a break from his usual training regime and while he finally received the all clear in January, the down time has taken it’s toll on the 28-year-old as the new season swung into action.

“I’m happy about these two days also I’m tired,” Marquez admitted from the Sepang International paddock on Sunday.

“We are very positive to be here in Malaysia, to be back on track I was very happy. Is true that I suffer but anyway it’s time to suffer now in the preseason for try to enjoy it on the race.

“Today has been a good day, when I push the speed is there. When I want to try the things just today I take an easy mode and just try things on the bike because to push and to really make good lap times consistent, I didn’t have enough physical condition.

“[Yesterday] I did many laps. Of course the day was too long. Too long in terms of I was tired but anyway, I feel good with the bike and was normal after a long time. Good, fast, some mistakes, everything. We have a day that we achieve all the parameters.

“I can say that I was in a similar condition like 2018/19,” he continued, focusing on his rehabilitation. “Because it’s true that I feel okay now, but I started my physical training two weeks ago. Yesterday I was able to ride well, today in the morning when I want to push I ride well, but then during the day, at the moment is impossible to stay all the day in a constant pace, consistent and fast, pushing. For example today at midday we planned to keep