Yesterday’s protagonist thanks to announcement of promotion to Repsol Honda MotoGP team, Spaniard places fourth in Moto2 practice for Italian Grand Prix.
After becoming the talk of the MotoGP paddock yesterday with the announcement by HRC of his move up to the premier class next year —as teammate to Dani Pedrosa in Repsol Honda— today Marc Márquez went back to work in the Moto2 class at Mugello. The series leader made a cautious start at one of the trickiest and most technical circuits on the calendar, ending the day 0.516 behind fastest rider Pol Espargaró.
At a track in which an optimal setting is crucial for the flicks and turns of the layout, Marc Márquez dedicated his day to adjusting his Moto2 bike setup in short runs. In the morning session the Repsol rider undertook 20 laps, with his best coming on lap 13 with a time of 1’53.478. That put him in fifth, 0.399 behind Espargaró.
In the afternoon, the winner of the last two races continued to fine tune the changes to his Suter to adapt to the Italian circuit —as difficult as it is beautiful. Cutting tenths off his time, Márquez ended the day in fourth, 0.516 off the top time, and will dedicate his Saturday to finding the best setup possible to fight for pole position.
Marc Márquez >> Audio
FP1 – 1:53.478, 20 laps, 105 km.
FP2 – 1.53.261, 20 laps, 105 km.
“Today followed the dynamic of every Friday. We found our pace and the day went well. We made a significant improvement from the first session to the second, but we still have room for improvement. There are still some things that I’m not happy with on the bike, but we will work hard with the team to find solutions in time for qualifying. This is one of the most difficult circuits on the calendar, with lots of changes in direction, and you need to adapt your bike very well to the track. I am suffering most on the exit to the corners. Pol Espargaró is always very fast on Fridays and has got a good base setting, whilst we always find it a little more difficult. The new swingarm seems to have given us a little more grip; you don’t notice it in the times too much, but I can feel more solid in my riding.”
