MotoGP, Marc exposes Ducati: In Australia they talked about team orders

Marc Marquez is still there at the front. Sepang may not be his favourite track, but the Spaniard proved to be a thorn in the side for Dovizioso, so much that he finished FP2 just behind the Italian. The most impressive thing is the Honda rider’s pace.

“I can say that I am happy about this first day, although the sensations were not the best – number 93 said – I was fast both in the dry and in the wet. Dovi was the best – he added – but we knew straight away what the Ducati’s potential was.”

Despite his 33-point advantage, the five-time world champion is not changing his approach.

“This morning I went out on the track with the same mentality as always – he recalled – We saw that I don’t have a solid base, so I will need to do some work. As I already said, I am able to be fast in the wet, but I am still lacking the right sensations.”

In any case, the Spanish rider has great confidence, able to finish just behind the GP17 astride his Honda in the afternoon.

“Being in the top three is important at the end of this day – he admitted – All the Ducati riders were fast, but I need to think only about myself and the team, because the fate of the Championship Title is entirely in my hands.”

There was also a hint about possible team orders.

“Already in Australia, Ducati talked about playing as a team – he pointed out – whereas we in the Honda camp will not."

However, Marc has no intentions of making calculations and settling.

“Ducati has always had a little something extra here in Malaysia – he reminded – but my goal is to finish the race as well as possible, aiming for the victory and without having to settle for less.”

The red bikes from Borgo Panigale are not the only ones to keep an eye on, because the competition is fierce.

“Yamaha is also fast, as are other riders – he pointed out – so we need to pay attention to everyone. It will be fundamental to figure out where we are losing in order to close the gap.”

One thing is certain: as always, Marc makes the difference, because the other Hondas are quite far from the top.

“I think we encountered the usual problems in the wet – he analysed – What counts is my position, without thinking about Ducati, Yamaha and the other Hondas.”