Taking part in his beloved American MotoGP at COTA for the first time on a bike other than a Honda, Marc Marquez could clinch his first Ducati win this weekend.
Following a slow start to both practices on Friday, Marquez ended the day in third place behind Jorge Martin and Maverick Vinales.
But the Spaniard, who is still adapting to the GP23 bike, is expected to be a major player for victory in the sprint and grand prix.
Wayne Rainer is certainly among those who believes Marquez could steal the show: “I’m most curious about Marc Marquez on a Ducati. I know he’s on last year’s bike so it probably doesn’t have the same level of material or equipment that the other riders have but it’s nice to see that he’s competitive.
“He’s racing up front and it looks like he’s getting his confidence. I expect him to start winning very soon, maybe even here at CO
There are so many things that it takes to be fighting for the world championship; one is that he has to have the confidence in the bike and that every time he goes to a circuit he knows more to compete on a Sunday.
“You look at Pecco and some of the other riders, they already know what to expect from their equipment.
“It’s been a while since Marc has been in this position. But he is a fighter and if anybody can do it, he is going to be the guy.”
