Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez looked calm and confident as he prepared for the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram this weekend.

A front-row start and a fourth place finish last time out in Japan proved Marquez’ recovery was going to plan and  added to a weekend forecast of rain across the three days at Chang International - which will take a little of the strain off the eight-time champion’s physical exertions - there could be more to come for round 17.

“A positive weekend for me and the team and Honda,” Marquez reflected on Motegi. “It was important to have a solid weekend and to have this motivation and good news inside the garage. Basically, for me was to finish the race in a good way. Of course, I was quite careful during the race especially with my condition and that soft rear tyre. I managed in a good way, we did a good race and we did kilometres, that is the most important now, and now looking forward to Buriram.

“Since 2020 in Jerez I haven’t been able to attack on the last laps,” Marquez said of his recent struggles. “Because when you have pain, you have lack of power and lose the concentration a bit, and in all the races I did, I was going down in the last lap.

“Motegi was the first time I could keep pushing on the last laps. It’s true that I had a lack of power, but it’s normal, and most importantly I finished in a good way.

"Let’s see here in Buriram, it’s true in the Japan GP the weather helped us, that we didn’t stress the body too much on Saturday. During the week, it took more time than I expected to recover because on Monday I felt okay, and on Tuesday it was completely stiff, the arm, but it takes time. Today I start to feel better and tomorrow won’t be a problem.

“Thailand is a circuit I like, really good memories from ’18, especially from ‘19,” he continued. “Last corner with Fabio…. I need to change strategy! This year we don’t arrive with the same situation, we won’t arrive on the last lap, I think so, fighting for the victory, but let’s see. When you arrive to the circuit with great memories, it gives you something special.

“Forecast looks really unstable so that means that when is wet conditions everything is open,” Marquez explained. “I mean, it's true that about physical condition, is much less demanding, the weak points of the bike you didn't feel a lot but is related about the feeling. In Motegi, I start in FP2 on wet conditions I go in on the box I say 'Don't touch anything', the feeling was good. So, is related about the grip of the track, the amount of water sometimes, we will see. We will try to work well but low profile.”