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Marc Márquez’s interview
How has it been to be back in action on a MotoGP bike after the intense winter work you have done?
“For me, the most important thing from this Malaysia test was my physical condition. I worked quite hard in a good way, because I felt much better on the bike during all the winter. It was crucial to start well the preseason from a physical side. I feel much better than, for example, the race in Valencia at the end of the year. I still have a margin to improve there because we have one month until the race in Portimao, so we will keep working and let’s see if we can do another step.”
We’ve seen you working with up to four bikes in this test. Are you satisfied with the work Honda has done since the Valencia test?
“The Repsol Honda Team is working a lot and they organized this test quite well. We had four different bikes and it’s not easy to try all the new things in just three days. They worked very well and brought new pieces for us to test.”
Have the problems you detected in the November test been corrected?
“We have a new technical manager, Ken Kawauchi, who is coming from a Suzuki and he has brought new ideas and new concepts. The engineers have received lots of information from this test and I believe we will prepare a good test plan for Portimao.”
Did you get to meet your teammate on the track?
“I never found Joan on the track, so I don’t know how he’s riding the Honda, but he was improving day by day. He is a World Champion, so he’s a fast rider and he will be a strong teammate.”
Joan Mir’s interview
After the tests in Valencia and now in Japan, what are your first feelings with the Repsol Honda at such different circuits?
“The feeling is is good. Of course, everything needs its process, but I’m feeling great and I’m able to do improve my feelings in every exit with the bike on track. This is the most important thing now. We don’t have much day to day to adapt to the bike, so we have to do it quickly and I think that we are doing great.”
How do you feel physically after the Winter break?
“After the Winter, the Sepang test is always a challenge for every. We always train as much as we can, but MotoGP is different. But overall, I feel good. I’m able to ride in a in a good way, so that means that physically we are in shape.”
And what do you feel are the early strengths of the bike?
“The strong part of the bike is the braking and corner entry. This is a part in which the bike works well, and I think that we can take some advantage of that.”
Do you think your riding style fits well or do you need to still adapt more?
“My style adapts well to the bike. I think it has to be one by one: I have to adapt to the bike, but the bike also needs to adapt to my style. We need to work with that in mind.”
Have you been on track with your teammate or any of the other Honda riders?
“No, I didn’t share track with my teammate because during the test I like to ride alone and try the new things properly, so I think we will have time in the future.”
