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MotoGP, Marquez: "We're still far from the best, but closer than 4 months ago"

"There have been changes at Honda and it takes time to see the results. We are the Repsol team and I'm Marc, the goal is to fight for the title, but if we look at the last 2 seasons I'm not among the favourites"

MotoGP: Marquez: "We're still far from the best, but closer than 4 months ago"

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The Real Federación Motociclista Española celebrated the 100th anniversary of its foundation with a gala evening and Marc Marquez just had to be one of the guests. Fresh from the Sepang tests, the Honda champion commented on this start to 2023 which, on the one hand, gave him some answers that he expected but, on the other, no.

To get back to being one of the protagonists of MotoGP, Marc knew that there were two things to improve over the winter: his physical condition and the bike. As for the first aspect, the 3 days in Malaysia reassured him: "It left me very calm - he declared to the Spanish media - It's one thing to ride the CBR or do motocross, another is MotoGP and I took a step forward. I haven't done such a demanding test in a long time".

The RC213V, on the other hand, is not yet in perfect shape.

"Logically, where we come from, how the last two seasons have gone in terms of results, everything doesn't change overnight, but it's a process - explained Marc - There has also been a structural change inside HRC. First we need to change and then the fruits will come in the longer term, but there has been a reaction. I have faith in Honda. Have we taken small steps forward? Yes. Are we still far away? Yes, but we are closer than we were, say, four months ago.”

This, however, means that Marquez wants to start 2023 on the back foot.

“We're the Repsol Honda Team, I'm Marc and we'll have to face the season with the aim of fighting for the title - he made it clear - Then, during the races, we'll see our level and we'll be realistic but, for now, we have to try to fight, to prepare ourselves better by thinking about who goes faster and to be close to them. This is goal number one. There is still a test in Portimao and there is room for improvement, I think. Then the races are always different: there will be a new format and this will mean that teams and riders will have to adapt ".

Some riders put Marc as a favourite, but he wants to face reality.

"They do it because of my past, but if we analyse the last two years, how I finished last season and how I started in Malaysia, I wouldn't be among the favourites - he admitted - But my goal is the same as every year, the same, I think, of all the riders: fighting for the top positions. Then we'll see if it's possible or not."

 

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