MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

After completing successful tests at Alcarras and Albacete over the past couple of weeks, to evaluate the recovery of his eye problem, Marc Marquez has finally returned to action with the assembled Moto2 riders at Jerez, where the final IRTA test before the start of the season at Qatar on April 8th. The initial conclusion of the first day of the three-day test is positive: sharing the track with both the Moto3 field and his Moto2 competitors, Marquez seems to be completely healed, despite spending the day getting accustomed to riding at Moto2 World Championship pace again.

Fastest rider on the track was Thomas Luthi with 1'42.627, followed by Japanese Takaaki Nakagami. Despite the unusual conditions for Marquez, the former 2010 125 world champion ended the day as fifth fastest, completing 18 laps with a best lap time of 1'43.080. "I felt great out there today, my first time with all the Moto2 riders since my crash in Malaysia last year", said Marquez. "We did a short test in Albacete just to confirm that my vision is ok. That’s meant we could attend this IRTA test. The main goal today was riding the Suter again at a Grand Prix track. At the beginning it was a bit difficult, because I saw several riders who where already at a higher level than me. I still have to get my full confidence back on the bike again. This is the most logical step, because we lost a lot of time during the last few months and now we have lot of work to do".

"Having already tested the 2012 Suter bike during last season helped a bit in all this, but we still have new parts to test. I took a little time to get used to the bike again and also to find the ideal lines on the track." Motomatters.com asked Marquez if he had had any problems with the double vision he had suffered since Sepang. "Absolutely not," Marquez replied, "I'm fully recovered. I am still practicing the rehabilitation movements in my eye, but just because I was told to do so by doctors. The whole thing is now behind us and we are concentrating again on the set up of the bike and also on my riding".