Marc Marquez spoke out for the first time about the maiden test on his new Ducati MotoGP machine, which took place in Valencia in November.
The Spaniard is making a much-publicized switch from the factory Honda team, with which he competed with since making his premier class bow in 2013, to Ducati satellite squad Gresini for 2023 following Honda’s recent difficulties in providing the six-time champion with a competitive bike.
Marquez looked to enjoy his opening day riding the Desmosedici as he lapped continuously towards the top of the timesheets and ended the day fourth overall, while a bright smile he flashed at new crew chief Frankie Charchedi as he disembarked the bike for the first time spoke volumes.
Speaking to Spanish outlet DAZN in a statement embargoed until January 1st, due to his contract with Honda preventing him from speaking about the test until the end of 2023, Marquez admitted that he was “nervous” ahead of the outing. He confirmed that “the speed was there”, and that he will be looking to get more comfortable on the machine during the Sepang tests in February.
“I was nervous and there were butterflies in my stomach,” Marquez said to DAZN.
“Even though I have been in the championship for many years, it was a big change.
“But afterward I stayed calm, relaxed. I made the day calm, and relaxed, trying to understand myself with my new technical team and with my new motorcycle.
“The first was a day of adaptation to the positions. We changed things because on some I didn’t feel completely comfortable, but the speed was there.
“I understood the bike and how to manage things. I still have a lot to learn, maybe not to go faster, but to be more consistent and much safer.”
Marquez added that he adapted to the Ducati GP23 “faster than expected”, and was happy to have been “received very well” by the Gresini team after over a decade running with the Honda outfit.
“I was able to adapt faster than expected because I immediately felt very good, there was a lot of feeling and the time worked out without exaggeratedly looking for it,” continued Marquez.
“In the test, at the end of the day, we were able to put on new soft tires and I also felt good. There are things to understand at the level of positions and communication with the team.
“It is logical because I have been working with the same group for eleven years, but they have received me very well. It is all very pleasant and this helps me be more relaxed.”
