MotoGP » Spain MotoGP: ‘Positive’ start for Marquez’s Jerez win quest Spain MotoGP: ‘

Positive’ start for Marquez’s Jerez win quest Spain MotoGP: ‘Positive’ start for Marquez’s Jerez win quest
Marc Marquez's quest to secure his elusive Spanish Grand Prix victory is off to an encouraging start in Jerez as he turned in the quickest time during second free practice on a scorching day.

The reigning world champion has never won a Spanish Grand Prix in any class, a statement he is eager to change this weekend as he looks to make it four wins on-the-trot and further extend his advantage in the overall standings.

Third fastest in the quicker morning session, though Marquez moved to the top of the timesheets in the afternoon, with track temperatures rising to more than 50 degrees, lap times were generally slower meaning the Spaniard remained third overall at the end of the day behind Aleix Espargaro and Jorge Lorenzo.

Despite this, Marquez feels he is at least on a par with his main rivals, namely Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa.

“Today was a positive first day at a track where I had a lot of difficulty last year. It seems as if this year we are at the same level as the faster riders like Dani, Lorenzo and Rossi right from the start, and this is obviously important.

“With that accomplished, we have also tried to work on things, but it was much easier to set a fast lap and pace this morning, than when the temperatures rose this afternoon. I think that everyone had grip issues, due to the track temperatures reaching 50 degrees. Tomorrow, we will try to take another step forward and work towards qualifying and the race.”

Crash.net