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MotoGP, Marquez: "Lorenzo needs to pay attention. FP2 is basically qualifying"

"You can't slow down in the middle of the track like that. My save? I had the bike leaning at 70° to hold it, my brother inspired me after Motegi"

MotoGP: Marquez: "Lorenzo needs to pay attention. FP2 is basically qualifying"

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Let's start from the end, or rather the collision between Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo during FP2. An episode that garnered a lot of attention on day of the Australian Grand Prix, seeing as Marc took off his team-mate's winglet, before blaming him for having slowed him down.

“It was my last useful lap and I was right on the limit of making sure I was inside the top ten – starts Marc - it was a kind of qualifying. I came across Jorge in the middle of the track, he was going slow, there was contact between us but nothing happened. We spoke and sorted it out”.

Marc is trying to move on.

Jorge has his opinion and I have mine. You need to be careful at moments like that, as the last minutes of FP2 are almost like a qualifying session. I know he didn't do it on purpose but you can't slow down in the middle of the track, as that's the most important moment when all riders are trying for their fast times”.

Marc then talks about the magic trick he pulled off during the additional 20-minute tyre test.

“I was leaning at 70° and managed to stay on the bike (smiles). Not bad. You don't do that by choice, but I tried to stay on the bike, and just as I was thinking to let go, I told myself: come on, try and accelerate to avoid crashing, and I did it. What can I say, my brother inspired me after his Motegi save, so I thought I'd give it a go (he jokes)”.

Marc is feeling positive at the end of day one.

“I'm pleased with this first day, both in the wet and the dry. We were able to find good sensations, particularly in terms of the tyres. The dry afternoon session was key, as tomorrow it's meant to rain while Sunday should be dry”.

It is Vinales with the Yamaha who currently leads the way.

“I expected Vinales and the Yamahas to be quick, the Suzukis too. Maverick is strong, but we're not far off, I think we're more competitive than last year. We need to focus on the rear tyre and the grip. This will be important for Sunday”.

Audio recorded by Matteo Aglio

Translated by Heather Watson
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