The eight-time grand prix world champion ended pre-season testing in Qatar on Tuesday fourth general and slightly below 4 tenths off the tempo set by manufacturing unit Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia.
That got here regardless of a primary crash on the Gresini Ducati, which he says was the results of him exploring the bounds of the GP23 for the primary time.
Analysing his pre-season, Marquez famous “it’s all the time in racing we are saying the final three tenths are essentially the most troublesome ones” and that is now what he’s on the lookout for.
“I imply, in fact you by no means wish to crash, and also you wish to keep on the bike,” he mentioned.
“But it surely’s true after I crashed I noticed that I used to be going huge, I used to be going too quick in however I mentioned ‘okay, the place is the restrict of this bike’ after which I did the long term of 12 laps and was deliberate to reach at 18 laps roughly.
“However then I mentioned ‘okay, no stays 5 laps, I’ll attempt to enhance one step’.
“However possibly I elevated it in a single level we can not do on this bike.
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
“So, I misplaced the entrance in Flip 4, nevertheless it’s vital to grasp this as a result of till now I used to be using very easy and constant however by no means assault within the final tenths.
“It’s all the time in racing we are saying the final three tenths are essentially the most troublesome ones.
“So, it’s there the place I’m now, I’m two, three tenths, even 4 generally, behind the highest guys. And now I’ve to grasp the way to be nearer.”
Marquez says he’s “glad” with the progress he has made, however admits there are a minimum of three riders a lot quicker than him proper now heading into the opening spherical of the season in March.
“Yeah, I imply it’s no secret: throughout all of the pre-season I used to be tremendous calm, as a result of I do know that [it’s] step-by-step, no panic, simply generally I used to be tremendous far however attempting to grasp all of the steps I do as a result of it’s a brand new bike and was vital,” he added.
“However right this moment was the day to do one other step, to extend the danger and it’s there the place I did it, particularly within the time assault I used to be nearer.
“Additionally, in the long term I used to be pushing fairly nicely.
“It’s true that the lap time is just not there as a result of there was an issue with my transponder, nevertheless it was okay.
“Additionally, the primary crash arrived, however that’s regular as a result of I elevated that threat on the bike.
“Other than that, I’m glad. Nonetheless there are three, 4, 5 riders quicker than us, particularly [Jorge] Martin, [Francesco] Bagnaia, [Enea] Bastianini are quicker than us.
“However let’s see. At the moment I used to be nearer than Malaysia, so step-by-step we have to perceive the best way to study from them.
