“I’m going to suffer,” Marquez said of the first race after an injury

Jakarta (medialnews) – Repsol Honda team rider Marc Marquez admits his first race, after nine months without injury, will not be easy in Portugal, despite securing the position from the sixth qualifying start on Saturday.

After facing a mechanical problem, the Spaniard had to survive Q1 as he was knocked out of the top ten during free practice.

Marquez underwent three surgeries on a fractured right humerus during the 2020 season opener in Jerez.

However, Marquez showed his qualities as an eight-time world champion and didn’t take much time to adjust to the Honda RC213V engine, showing that he was still quick in claiming the P6 by a margin of just 0.259 seconds on pole. sitter Fabio Quartararo.

“I don’t feel as good as yesterday (in the first and second practice), but that’s normal,” said Marquez.

“My doctors and physiotherapists are waiting for me. Most importantly, this bone doesn’t hurt me. It’s the muscles that get overwhelmed.

Also read: Pole position is not a guarantee, says Quartararo to all dangerous riders

“But the biggest question is the race itself, 25 laps, it’s very long.”

“I know it won’t be as easy as walking in the park, I will suffer.”

Meanwhile, Quartararo secured the 11th pole position of his career by setting a new lap record of 1: 38.862 in Portimao, beating Alex Rins (Suzuki) and leader Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing).

Marquez filled the second row with Ducati riders Jack Miller and Franco Morbidelli from the Petronas Yamaha team.

Francesco Bagnaia has written off his best time due to a yellow flag after Miguel Oliveira’s accident, leaving pole position to Quartararo.

Meanwhile, Zarco set a higher goal after finishing second in Qatar twice.

Also Read: Pertamina Mandalika’s duet collapsed in qualifying, Lowes won third pole

“It’s not enough, but starting from the front is good,” said Zarco.

Meanwhile, defending world champion Joan Mir will launch an attack from P9.

Valentino Rossi, who switched places with Quartararo in the Yamaha Satellite team, could only finish P17 in qualifying.

Japanese racer Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) missed the qualifying session after an accident in Friday practice and is awaiting confirmation on whether he will be fit to race on Sunday.

Saturday’s training session also saw the devastating accident of Pramac Racing team rookie Jorge Martin, who had to be rushed to hospital for a medical check-up.

The Spaniard was unconscious, but suffered a blow to the head, bruises on his right hand and wrist that had to be missed for the rest of the weekend.

Also read: Quartararo claims pole position in Portugal’s MotoGP

Reporter: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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