'We are going in a good way' - Marc Marquez gives the latest on MotoGP return

While he missed the opening MotoGP test in Qatar this past weekend, and the date for his return is still unknown, Marc Marquez feels he is closer than ever to making his first appearance since the arm injury suffered last season. 

The Spanish rider has been ramping up his training back in Spain ahead of the 2021 season, while team-mate Pol Espargaro and Honda test rider Stefan Bradl continue preparations of the RC213V ahead of March 28. 

Marquez will miss the second test in Qatar which begins tomorrow, however, his return to riding bikes has moved from a 'week to week' schedule to 'day by day'. 

Marquez said: "I still don’t know, I feel like I can ride again soon, but I have a doctor check this week. Then we will see if he says it’s okay and if the muscles are in good shape, but you never know in the rehabilitation process.

"Anyway, we are going in a good way and day by day. Two weeks ago I said week by week, but now it’s day by day. First of all, I will not ride a MotoGP bike straight away, maybe I will start with a small bike and sometimes train in a small circuit."

In an interview organised by his Repsol Honda team, Marquez was also asked about his daily schedule which has started to intensify. 

"In the last month, the days have been exactly the same. I get up at 8 o’clock and I have the first physio-gym combined session from 9 to 11," said Marquez.

"From 11:30 to 1:30 PM, I have my training session, which can be running, cycling or something else.

"Then, in the afternoon from 4 PM to 6 PM, I have the second physio-gym session. From 7 PM to 9 PM I have free time and by 10 PM I’m already in bed because I have no energy left."

It remains to be seen whether Marquez will be cleared by his doctors for the opening race in just under three weeks. 

If he cannot, Bradl will begin the season alongside Espargaro as he did with Alex Marquez for much of last season. 

This is the first time that Marquez has missed out on a pre-season in his MotoGP career, and admits it is a 'something strange' not to try all the new parts. 

"When you realize that you will not start the pre-season in a good way and you will not be able to try the new things that Honda brings after working a lot during the winter, it’s something strange," said the 27 year-old. 

"Anyway, I know that they are working very hard with Stefan Bradl, Pol, my brother Alex and Nakagami to try new items to improve the performance of the bike.

"I know that they are waiting for me and I will try to be there as soon as possible. I can only say that I’m looking forward to riding the bike again."