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Marquez saved himself from the momentary crisis that saw most of the top riders floundering way down the field. Marc and Vinales were the only ones who didn't drown at the Termas de Rio Hondo track, earning the top two positions.
A good result for the Honda rider after the difficulties of Qatar. But it didn't all go smoothly, with the world champion suffering a crash this morning.
“I came off the ideal line and went over dirt, crashing, but aside from that it's been a good day - he comments - I started a little further back because the base set-up wasn't great, I had some problems but then step by step we improved and worked especially well in the second session”
As a result of which he earned second position, meaning he's safe if the weather decides to play its tricks.
“The time isn't bad, but we need to improve in certain areas, because I don't feel good. I'm losing a lot in the second sector for example and need more acceleration- he explains - If it rains it will change everything. I hope it's dry to be honest because I don't yet have a good base set-up and need to improve”.
As we've said, only he and Vinales proved competitive today in terms of the top riders.
“Maverick is a litte further ahead - he admits - For some reason Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Valentino struggled today but we need to continue to work 100% with what we have. Today I tested all of the available tyres except for the old front, because it will arrive tonight, perhaps I'll try it tomorrow”.
For his team-mate Dani Pedrosa (13th) it was not an easy day. In the first practice he had a puncture, then crashed in the second.
“Those two set-backs conditioned my performance and it's a pity because it might rain tomorrow and I'm not inside the top 10 - he reflects - It will be important to see if we have chance to ride in the dry tomorrow and improve our position”.
Dani is not giving up though
“Sometimes you have a day like this - he says philosophically - When I crashed I was using the hard front tyre for the first time. I didn't know it and perhaps pushed a little too hard, or it wasn't up to temperature or I didn't understand its limit”.
He too is a little surprised by the standings.
“I don't really know what there are so many satellite Ducatis up front, but we have to focus on ourselves, with all these tyres it's a little complicated and we have to decide which to choose for the race”.
