Marc Marquez direct: “Far from Ducati, even more from Bagnaia”

The Honda centaur spoke in the press conference of the Portuguese GP

Honda centaur Marc Marquez spoke at a press conference before the three-day Portuguese Grand Prix, which opens the 2023 MotoGp World Championship. The Catalan rider feels good, but it is the bike that has him worried: “Finally a winter without the need to recover from a physical problem. We have changed so much at the team level, worked on other concepts, with the day-2 of testing here in Portimao being the most important. We are further behind the top of the class, but I think we can fight for the podium, keeping in mind that the season is very long.”

According to Marquez, Ducati and especially Pecco Bagnaia are far behind at the moment: “Now they have a very strong package and especially Pecco. We are far away, but even further away from him, but we are working to improve in some areas, unfortunately the same as a year ago. We have to study hard to figure out how to get closer.”

Promoted Sprint Races: “Honestly, I like them as an idea, but for us riders it will be an extra effort. Already FP2 on Friday will almost be a qualifying session to hit the top10, then there will be real qualifying on Saturday, then the sprint race and the race on Sunday. It won’t be easy, but I think they will be an interesting change.”