The Repsol Honda team rider finishes the sprint race seventh, with Joan Mir thirteenth
The Mobility Resort Motegi hosted the first sprint race in its history this Saturday. The rain that was forecast did not appear and the 12-lap race was held in dry conditions.
Marc Márquez added a further 3 points to his tally. After advancing from Q1 to Q2 as the fastest rider in the session, the Repsol Honda Team man started the sprint race from seventh position, on the third row on the grid. From the beginning he was able to get into the Top 5 and maintain a consistent pace.
After spending half the race fighting for the Top 5, Marc lowered his lap times and finally crossed the finish line in seventh position.
In the morning, Joan Mir was unable to make the cut for Q2, meaning he began the sprint race from fifteenth position on the grid. In the race, he competed to try to be among the Top 10 but, finally, placed thirteenth.
The 24-lap Japanese Grand Prix race takes place on Sunday at 8.00h (CEST).
MARC MÁRQUEZ – 7th
“I think the highlight of our day was jumping from Q1 to Q2 and starting on the third row was a good objective. Seventh position is a solid day, not the best but I tried hard to follow the leading group because that’s my character. The tyres started to drop towards the end, and I had to go more at my normal pace after risking a lot at the start. It looks like the top ten will be the objective for tomorrow again. There are a few things to check and of course we keep trying and working for more.”
JOAN MIR – 13th
“We were hoping for more today because during Qualifying I felt pretty good, there was a chance to go to Q2 but it didn’t really line up. I am quite disappointed with how the race went overall, it the Sprint it just didn’t feel the same and we weren’t able to match the lap times. Certainly, we need to work to understand this so we can deliver on our potential and our expectations. Tonight we will look for answers so that tomorrow we can have the race we know we have the potential for.”
