Marquez regains his splendor in Austin

If we put aside his arm injury, Marc Marquez is undoubtedly the favorite for the GP of the Americas with no less than six victories in seven races. Going further, apart from a crash while leading in Austin in 2019, the Honda rider has never been defeated in the United States.

But this year, the situation is different; his arm not yet being perfectly healed. Moreover, he recently admitted it to the microphones of Dorna (promoter of MotoGP): “Some days I feel 80%, other days I feel 60, but I have never gone above 80%. »

“Even when you are in great shape, it is still difficult to finish the race in the best conditions in Austin” – Marquez

Today, however, it was he who was the fastest with a lap of 2'04.164. The rain this morning did not prevent him from setting the best time, as did the dry afternoon. “My feeling on the bike wasn't very good and I didn't feel like I was riding well,” said Marquez. But when I stopped at the box, I saw that I was in front. It's strange... I'm happy with the result, but not with my performance and the feeling. In the past, one of my strong points was the first sector, but today I'm losing a lot on turns 3, 4, 5, on the changes of direction, but the times are coming. I hope it will rain a little more during a few sessions, that way I will survive more during the weekend. »

As for his physical condition to complete the 20 laps of the race on Sunday, the Spaniard added: “It's true that it's a physical circuit. Even when you are in great shape, it is always difficult to finish the race in the best conditions. The return straight has been resurfaced and it is possible to relax there. We will see tomorrow, it will be about keeping the same level, because the others will progress. You will then have to take a step. »

Normal order restored, but not by much! 🏁@marcmarquez93 secures top spot on Friday with @jackmilleraus just 0.015s behind! ⏱️#AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/rquumfgg9V

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 1, 2021

It's hard work in Austin

Much more than the rain, what worried the drivers from their first laps this Friday were the bumps and surfaces of the Austin circuit. “It’s not a MotoGP circuit, it looks like a motocross field, it’s dangerous,” said fabio quartararo. There are three different types of tar and the grip is never the same. »

Marquez shares the same opinion: “It’s a circuit that I like, a track that I like… but the bumps are limited. The track and surface conditions are limited. Every year it gets worse and worse and they need to understand why. I think it's difficult to correct this problem, because it's not really asphalt-related bumps, but rather that the ground has moved perhaps due to storms. »

With the track having a single trajectory, Quartararo fears the first laps, “It will be chaos…,” he said. In any case, the subject of bumps will be raised this evening at the safety commission (meeting organized every Friday with the drivers to deal with safety problems, editor's note). Valentino Rossi I even think that shortening the race could be a solution to avoid getting too tired due to the bumps.

Zarco provisionally secures Q2

Rain could well appear during the third free practice session on Saturday. If this is the case, the list of residents who will join Q2 will be based on FP2. And among them is Johann Zarco, who set the eighth time just over half a second behind Marquez's benchmark. “It was a good day,” rejoiced the Cannes resident. It was important to start the day in the wet. The circuit is difficult and bumpy with blind turns... so it allowed me to take my time, because the bike is easier to turn and it also allowed me to test my arm. »

And to continue: “An eighth place is pretty good. Jack (Miller) was fast and we have to try to understand why. It will be a matter of finding the right set-up to stay fast while saving money. You will also have to find the right trajectory, because by moving a little, you can end up on other bumps. »