Marc Marquez says his physical condition became “worse and worse” during the Sepang MotoGP test.

The test in Malaysia was the first time Marquez had ridden a MotoGP bike since his crash with Marco Bezzecchi in Indonesia last October that left him with season-ending shoulder injuries.

Marquez’s preseason was also affected by the injury and he didn’t return to riding on asphalt – at the Aspar Circuit – until the beginning of January.

In Sepang, Marquez rode mostly in short stints, as he often did during his Honda years when shoulder surgeries in the winter had limited his physical capabilities during testing.

The Spanish rider ended the test in a positive mood but also with the feeling that he needs to improve his own performance.

“Step-by-step we try a few things and we go out with clever information and let’s wait for Thai test and then try to continue our work,” said Marquez, speaking to MotoGP.com’s After the Flag show at the end of the final day of the test.

“But it looks like everything is in a good way. Of course, I need to improve on my side, but step-by-step.”

Marquez’s test programme for the final day of the test included a Sprint simulation, from which he emerged with positive conclusions.

“Today we did a Sprint simulation and I put a good rhythm there, just to check everything,” he said.

“The way that I finished, I like it, I feel comfortable on those last laps and that was the most important.”

Marquez, though, admitted that his feeling got worse day after day as his body continues to suffer the effects of yet another a winter preparation hampered by injury recovery after the shoulder injuries he sustained in Indonesia last October.

“The best feeling was on day one afternoon,” he said.

“Then, step-by-step I was getting worse and worse. 

“[Thursday] was a demanding day; the fact that yesterday [it rained], today was quite a busy day but we did a good job and a lot of laps. 

“I know that [Friday] I will be tired but I will have time to recover.”

Speaking precisely, Marquez now has two weeks before the final test of the preseason in Buriram on 21–22 February.

There, Marquez clearly has his mind set on spending time preparing not only the season in general but also the Thai Grand Prix race weekend that will be only one week after the test.

“Thai test will be important, more important than this one [Sepang], maybe, because there in just four days we will have the race after the test,” Marquez explained.

“[In Sepang], always when we come in October it looks like another circuit with less rubber.

“But I’m happy and these three days [at Sepang] were very useful for myself. We need to improve because there are two or three riders that are faster than us.”