MotoGP Valencia: ‘If Fabio hits me, I will understand’ - Marquez

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez sealed his third front row start in succession on Saturday as his progression to the rider of old draws closer.

Despite suffering from illness across the final weekend, and with his voice audibly absent as a result, a podium at Valencia was still in his sights after securing second, in the midst of two Ducatis, on Saturday afternoon.

“Since Monday I am sick and you don’t have the same energy but we are in the home GP and then I try my best,” Marquez confirmed. “Yesterday I take a lot of risk to be in the rhythm, to find the limits with the Honda. Today I didn’t expect to go in ‘29’s but with the second tyre the grip was much better than the first one and then I was able to be faster.

“Tomorrow I would like to finish in the podium. I was so happy because I know that if I want to finish in the podium, was crucial to start in the front or second row. So we achieved the target today and tomorrow, if I feel well, it’s time to take the risk and time to enjoy the last race!”

With Sunday all about the title decider between Fabio Quartararo - who lines up fourth - and Pecco Bagnaia behind in eighth, Marquez knows the start promises to be dramatic.

“I know that Fabio tomorrow will push, will push a lot and he must push and if he hit me, I will understand,” Marquez acknowledged. “I don’t want but I will understand,” he elaborated, “because he’s playing for a world championship not for a race so I know that he’s smart but he will attack.

“Everybody will attack, especially Ducati riders will attack more because it’s the best way to help Pecco but I want to do a good race too. In the end is another race but tomorrow the two guys are Pecco and Fabio. Everybody will pay attention about these two guys.”

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