Alex Marquez begins with good pace on the first day of a decisive weekend. Honda riders quickly adapt to the Malaysian track and are very competitive.
The first day of possibly the three most important days in Alex Marquez’ career began on Friday at Sepang. The young Spaniard has the chance to be crowned Moto3 World Champion on Sunday –if he claims 6 more points than rival Jack Miller.
Marquez started with good pace, setting the fifth fastest time in the morning session in Malaysia and the third best in the afternoon. Teammate Alex Rins, who also is still in with a mathematical chance of winning the title, was seventh in both sessions. The Repsol riders took advantage of the strong performance of the Honda and the rapid adaptation to the Malaysian track for their bikes.
In the morning session, Marquez was fifth –0.540s off the best time, set by Miller. Seventh and 0.894s down was Rins. In the afternoon, Marquez improved his previous top time by just over half a second time to pull himself up to third place –ahead of Miller and 0.021s off quickest rider Antonelli. Teammate Rins was again seventh, 0.521s off the Italian.
Alex Rins >> Audio
7th, 2’14.104 Sec., 30 Laps, 166 km.
“We have adapted quickly to the track. We have already seen at previous circuits that we are setting times close to the circuit record from day one. This year the level in Moto3 is much higher than it was last year and that forces us to do much more. It was a shame not to get a better time in the second free practice, because I encountered a group with many people and that prevented me from improving. Still, for tomorrow we have a good setup and I’m sure we’ll do well.”
Alex Marquez >> Audio
3rd, 2’13.604 Sec., 30 Laps, 166 km.
“I’m very happy. Although it is a very tricky circuit as it is very wide and long, I felt very comfortable thanks to the team. We have learned to take the steps required at the appropriate time and to have patience. The feeling I take away at the end of the day is very good for tomorrow; a good start is always important. We have a good setup but can still improve in some aspects and with some of our lines, so tomorrow we have work to do before the qualifying session. It will be important to qualify on the first or second row to take things easier in the race, so we will try to be very focused and work as we have done today.”
