SEPANG: Getting back on board a MotoGP bike after a long break proved to be a body-aching experience for reigning world champion Marc Marquez of Spain.
After the long break following the end of the last season and despite the long sessions in the gym, Marquez ended up with body pains after going 62 laps on his new Honda RCV1000R bike on the first day of pre-season testing at the Sepang International Circuit on Tuesday.
“The first day on the bike is always going to be difficult. No matter how many hours in the gym you spend before coming here (for the test), nothing will get your body ready for it,” said Marquez.
Nonetheless, the world champion clocked the fastest time on the track coming in at 2:00.286.
“We are testing with the same set-up we used during testing at Valencia after the end of last season and today we were looking into improving our braking. Tomorrow we are going to look into other things before the start of the season.”
Meanwhile, nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi was second fastest in 2:00.804. Marquez’s team-mate Dani Pedrosa was third fastest in 2:00.906 while Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo was fourth fastest in 2:01.082.
Lorenzo said the changes to the regulation with the supplied electronic control unit (ECU) made the bike less smoother than before.
“The first time with the new bike will always going to be difficult. The engine is not as smooth as before and we have a lot of work to do before the new season starts.
“Tomorrow we are going to improve our set-up to get better times on the track and hopefully we can do it,” he said.
The season starts with the Qatar Grand Prix on March 23.
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