Marquez has ‌first⁤ Ducati‍ crash, ‍but confident ⁢in Portugal

Marquez had⁣ a rollercoaster‌ day during Friday’s practice at the Algarve International Circuit, with a mix of highs⁢ and lows. The Gresini‌ rider impressed by finishing third in second ‌practice, securing a spot ⁤in‌ Q2 for Saturday’s ⁤qualifying session.

However, the ⁣day wasn’t without its challenges​ as‍ Marquez experienced his first‌ crash on the Ducati during a⁢ race ‌weekend. The incident occurred at Turn 5 while he was pushing on his final ⁣time attack lap. Despite the⁣ setback, Marquez remains optimistic⁤ about his performance.

Marquez attributed the crash to a “small change” made on‍ the bike that gave him more confidence to push harder. He acknowledged that transitioning from riding a Honda to a Ducati requires ‍a different approach, as his instincts from his previous bike sometimes take over, leading to unexpected outcomes.

Despite the ‍crash, Marquez expressed his enjoyment of ⁣riding‍ the Ducati in Portugal and noted that managing a race distance this weekend feels “easier” compared to the challenges he faced in Qatar. He credited the ‌improved‌ confidence ⁣in his riding style and the bike⁤ setup for his ‍progress.

Overall, Marquez’s journey with the Ducati‌ has had its ⁢share of ups and downs, but he remains focused on understanding the nuances of the bike ⁢and optimizing his performance on the ⁤track.

Summary

Marquez navigates through highs and lows in Friday’s practice at the Algarve International Circuit, securing a spot in Q2 after finishing third. Despite experiencing his​ first Ducati⁢ crash, he remains confident and optimistic about his performance in Portugal, attributing his‌ progress to improved confidence ⁢and understanding of the bike.