After struggling on Friday, Marc Marquez returned to the podium on Saturday as he finished third in the Malaysian Sprint Race.
Marc Marquez's Malaysian Grand Prix did not get off to the quickest of starts on Friday. The Spaniard ended Day One in tenth place on the timesheets, just making his way into Qualifying Two.
However, the Gresini MotoGP Racing Team turned Marquez's Ducati GP23 around overnight. The eight-time World Champion was back at the races on Saturday and it was clear to see in Qualifying.
Marquez put his #93 Ducati on the second row as he qualified in fifth place, amongst the Ducati GP24s. But when the lights went out the usual Marquez appeared and he found himself fighting at the front. The 31-year-old finished the Sprint in second place, only one second behind Jorge Martin.
After the 10-lap Sprint Marquez sang his team's praises after he 'struggled' on Friday.
"The team did a very good job," Marquez said after the Malaysian Sprint Race. "It was the first time we struggled because, in the second part of the season, every Friday was more or less comfortable. But this Friday we were struggling, but the team did a very good job. We changed a few things in the setup and in the Qualifying Practice I started to feel much better. Then in the Sprint Race, I started and I had the speed, I was able to follow them and be there. I was riding in a good way, for tomorrow we will try to adjust some small things.
"But for the long race, it will be more difficult because they have more pace than us. But let's see what we can do, at the moment we take the podium. Being on the podium I don't want to miss the occasion to dedicate it to all Spaniards, especially the people in Valencia, because they are in a very difficult moment. It is nothing for them this podium, but I try to give a big hug and all my support."
'Nobody wants to make mistakes, but we are humans.'
The eight-time World Champion went on to analyse the Championship battle ahead of him. The Championship leader, Martin won the Sprint. Whereas, Francesco Bagnaia crashed out of second place and claimed zero points.
Marquez was shocked by how much Martin pushed but believed Bagnaia was doing what he had to do.
"I knew that they would push a lot," Marquez stated. "I expected Martin to be more conservative, but he was just pushing in the first two laps. Pecco did what he needed to do, he was taking risks and trying to finish in front of Martin. Unfortunately, today he lost the front and crashed, but in Thailand, he took the risks and was a hero.
"In the end this sport is about managing the risks and nobody wants to make mistakes, but we are humans. Let's see what they can do tomorrow but we will try to do our best. Our realistic target is fourth place, our very optimistic target is third place on the podium."
Marquez continued to discuss the level of risks that Martin is taking at the late stages of the Championship. He believes that his compatriot is the 'fastest and most consistent' rider in the title fight at the moment.
Marquez believes that: "Jorge (Martin) is super confident, to have that points advantage and take those risks, he is managing the situation. But both of them are super fast, at the moment it seems the fastest and most consistent guy is Jorge. But both of them are doing incredible performances."
