Marc Marquez expects the clear weather for the remainder of the German MotoGP weekend will allow the field to find optimal bike set-ups, which will lead to a “very tight” and “tough” race.
The world championship leader has gone unbeaten in qualifying and in the race at the Sachsenring for the last eight years, and was odds-on favourite to continue his streak ahead of this weekend's running.
However, the Spaniard failed to top either of Friday's 45-minute sessions, and was fifth on the combined times – albeit without having put in a time attack at the end of FP2.
Confident Honda has a “good base” to work with going forward, Marquez admitted he is struggling to turn and “slide” his RC213V, and anticipates this weekend to be closer than normal at the Sachsenring.
“The feeling of today was good, this was important, we start in a good base already,” he stated.
“We start quite strong, but step-by-step we still we need to improve in some areas because this year I think everyone will be very, on Sunday's race, will be very tight, everything, because we have good weather for all the weekend and everyone can choose or find the best set-up, and will be a tough race.
“One of the keys is try to improve the [feeling with the] front tyre, we try the hard front and was a bit better but a few weak points.
“On the bike I need to improve the turning, I don't slide like I want and it's something that in this circuit is important, and I will try to manage or to find the way to slide like I want.”
Lorenzo: Victory is not impossible
Jorge Lorenzo, who topped Friday's running by 0.257 seconds on his Ducati, believes the consistent weather conditions have allowed him to improve the bike more and hasn't rule out a victory charge – though remains wary Marquez is yet to reveal his true form.
“Has been great, I'm very happy about today because we make a huge improvement from the morning to the afternoon in terms of working on the bike.
“I feel much better than last year, honestly the weather is helping also to have the consistency with warm temperatures to work on the bike.
“So very good day, let's wait and see for tomorrow. It's true Marquez is the favourite here, he didn't put in the new tyre, so we have to see what laptime he can put in tomorrow.
“But I think we are much closer than last year. I think we have a good opportunity to fight for the podium.
“Victory is not impossible, it will be difficult because Marc here is very strong. But I think we can make a better result than last year for sure.”
