Marquez takes fast and steady steps on his comeback at American MotoGP circuit

The Honda rider crashed heavily during warm-up for the Indonesian GP last month and was ruled unfit to race after suffering a concussion.

On the flight home from Indonesia, Marquez began to experience problems known as Diplopia also known as double vision.

This forced him out , but Honda said at the time his recovery was progressing well.

Ahead of this week’s fourth round of the 2022 season, Honda has now confirmed Marquez has recovered enough to compete at the Circuit of the Americas.

“Of course I am very happy to be back, it’s a great feeling to return and especially to do it at one of my favourite tracks,” Marquez said. “No matter the situation, I really enjoy riding in Texas and have incredible memories there.

“We have some work to do after missing two races and the whole Argentina weekend so I am not here to set one target at the moment.

“There’s many things to do and consider, but the important thing is that we are back on the bike this weekend.”

The unusual Friday approach also extended to how Marquez managed his physical effort.

“I was riding in 2m ’06 and then just pushed for single [fast] laps. It’s the only way to survive the whole weekend,” he said. “It is true that tomorrow in the afternoon I have to try and work for the race pace because it is different to ride very slow and then push for a single lap.

“But it’s the only way I have to finish the weekend in a good way [physically].

“For that reason, Friday was about trying to understand and to have the feedback. Tomorrow, I need to push and it will be difficult to be in QP2 directly because all the Ducatis are very strong and fast in a single lap.

“Already last year was difficult [in qualifying]. I was on the front row but it was difficult over a single lap, for some reason Ducati will be so fast. Qualifying is not our strong point but we try to be in the first two front rows.”

One of those fast Ducatis, title runner Bagnaia, repaid the compliment: “The Ducatis are strong. Also Suzuki. Aprilia with Vinales. And Marc for sure. It’s his track so he will be strong.”