Alex Marquez ‘happy’ with rhythm, ‘ok’ after big FP3 crash

Alex Marquez narrowly missed out on a Q2 spot during today’s qualifying one session, as he finished third which means a 13th place start for tomorrow’s MotoGP race at the Algarve International Circuit. 

Marquez lost out to Joan Mir and his brother Marc Marquez during Q1, but remains ‘happy’ with the ‘rhythm’. 

This comes after the 2019 Moto2 world champion suffered a huge highside on his final lap of the FP3 session. 

It hasn’t been an easy start for LCR Honda in 2021, as their season has been plagued particularly with crashes. 

Marquez along with team-mate Takaaki Nakagami, have both endured big crashes again this weekend, which forced Nakagami to sit out qualifying. 

But with all that said, Marquez believes the potential is there for a good result come Sunday’s race.

"I’m happy, but we always seem to be one position back from going through to Q2, first in FP3 and then Q1," added the 24 year-old.

"This morning I made a mistake and crashed in FP3 when there was the main opportunity to be in Q2.   

"But I’m ok and in quite good condition physically. In terms of rhythm, we are really good. 

"We still need to find some extra time in sector two, but in general we’re not bad. 

"We’ll try to make a good race, make a good start, to push from the start, be aggressive and overtake, and be a challenger from the start to the finish."