Jorge Martin was once again the rider to beat at the end of Friday Practice for the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas, but the COTA lap record holder admits he is struggling to show his best due to illness.

The Spaniard proved untouchable over a single lap during the second Practice session of the day around Circuit of The Americas on the Pramac Ducati, his pace setting lap of 2m 02.178secs just over a tenth shy of his own COTA lap record.

However, his efforts didn’t come without a cost, Martin visibly struggling with his physical condition off the Ducati GP23 before revealing after the session that he is feeling ‘really bad, really weak’.

While this could affect him for what will be a particularly intense day of P3, Qualifying and the MotoGP Sprint Race around one of the longest and most technical tracks on the calendar, Martin at least feels there is more to come if he can make a recovery in time.

“I’m happy with the result but we are far from our best shape because the bike is working well but I am feeling really, really bad and really weak. I have no strength, so I think we were struggling every corner. 

“But I am happy, I think we were going a better way in the last half an hour, then tomorrow we have time to still work.

“I tried in practice to manage the physical side and to keep energy out of the practice, but I need push so I am well for qualifying.”