Marquez Tops Sepang Practice As Confidence Soars

SEPANG, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Spanish rider Marc Marquez continued to demonstrate his competitiveness at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) by topping the timesheets in Friday’s practice session at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) here today. 

The Ducati Lenovo Team rider clocked 1 minute 57.000 seconds (s) to lead the session, followed by his younger brother Alex Marquez of BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP in 1:57.109s, while Japan’s Ai Ogura of SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team was third in 1:57.167s.

Marquez said he was pleased with the feeling on his bike from the opening lap, allowing him to push harder throughout the session despite a minor crash at Turn 15.

“Today, from the outing lap, the feeling was good. And then with the medium rear tyre, it was a good feeling.

“In the afternoon, apart from the small crash in Turn 15, where I was taking more risks, the rest was perfect,” he said during a media session after the practice session at SIC here today. 

The Spaniard said his approach to racing had become more aggressive in recent weeks as he felt increasingly comfortable taking risks, although he acknowledged that his physical condition had also improved.

In the Moto2 category, Spain’s Manuel Gonzalez of LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP topped the practice session with a fastest lap of 2:03.737s, followed by compatriot Alonso Lopez of ITALJET Gresini Moto2 in second place with 2:03.881s. 

Meanwhile, Daniel Holgado of CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team was third in 2:03.943s.

Earlier, young national rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli representing team AEON Credit-MT Helmets-MSI finishing fourth in the Moto3 practice session to secure a place in qualifying two (Q2) after clocked 2:11.573s to improve on his 2:11.834s timing in the first free practice session. 

-- BERNAMA