Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez says he is feeling a lot less pressure than he did at the start of the MotoGP season as his massive 58-point margin over Valentino Rossi has given him some breathing space.

But the reigning world champion is aware that the strong points of the RC213V may be negated a little at Assen this weekend as it is a flowing track with only a couple of hard braking areas - which where the Honda has the most margin over Rossi’s Yamaha.

“It will be difficult to continue that way of victories. Of course, we will change a little bit the base setup of the bike because normally we are really strong on the brakes and here we don’t have many brake points, it’s a flowing track, where you need to be precise,” said Marquez, speaking at the track.

“I feel less pressure and it’s more enjoyable. Of course, there is the pressure that everyone wait another victory or another great race but for me I feel less pressure because in the beginning of the season I feel the pressure of being world champion but now I take some advantage.

“Of course, I want to keep that advantage but I feel less pressure because if I fall or have some mistake I have that margin.”