Marc Marquez’ run of seven successive COTA poles came to an end on Saturday as the Repsol Honda rider lines up third for the AmericasGP.

Marquez looked to be adding to his impressive tally from the top of the Q2 standings until he was denied by both Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia and Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo in the final stages. The eight-time World Champion, however, remains positive of his achievement and the looming 20-lap race.

“Of course happy to be in the front row,” he said from Austin’s Parc Fermé. “We know that one of our weak points is the single lap, the whole lap on qualifying practice and today we were able to manage in a good way but tomorrow will be a long race.

“You need to manage tyres, bike, bumps, but also the physical condition and let's see,” he continued, switching his attention to the task ahead. “Tomorrow will be warmer so when it's warmer I feel better. In the morning and with a cold temperature I don't like. I mean everything is too harsh and then everything is shaking more. When gets everything softer is when I start to enjoy so let's see tomorrow if we can do an acceptable start, first laps work well the tyres and then let's see the second part of the race.

“The race pace is strong,” he said of his weekend performance so far, “but some riders have a stronger one than me. For example, [Jack] Miller. He start on 10th position but he can arrive and win the race because his pace is really good but we will see. I mean, lucky for me all the strong brake points are on the left side so I can manage in a good way.

“Of course the bumps are there and will be difficult to be constant all race but I feel okay,” he added, reflecting on the condition of the COTA circuit. “I can manage a good pace. Is true that if I keep a good rhythm then looks like I can manage well.

“I suffer much more in the qualifying practice. When you attack, then you don't know the reaction of the bike but with the used tyre I feel okay.

“I was coming fast in the T1,” he said of his qualifying performance, “but I say, 'Okay, if Jack is not pushing, I will not push' because enough risk already with the first tyre. I didn't want to take more risk. The next lap we didn't have time, just a few seconds. But for me it was okay like this because you know it was possible to improve but also the risk I need to manage in a good way, especially in this circuit.”