Espargaro 'a good moment', Marquez 'another chance to get closer'

Race leader for much of the Qatar season opener, Pol Espargaro continues his quest for a debut MotoGP victory at Mandalika, where he was fastest in testing.

Peter McLaren

16 Mar 2022

Pol Espargaro, Qatar MotoGP race, 6 March 2022
© Gold and Goose

After delivering his most impressive MotoGP race yet, leading for 17 laps on the way to a podium on the new-Honda's debut in Qatar, Pol Espargaro heads straight for the new Mandalika track where he was fastest of all in pre-season testing.

Espargaro also looked a match for anyone in terms of race pace, but although the test took place just one month ago, resurfacing work and a revised tyre allocation are among the notable changes for this weekend's first Indonesian Grand Prix since Sentul 1997.

“I am really looking forward to Mandalika, the fans were already incredible there during the test and I can only imagine what it will be like for the race," Espargaro said.

"We’re coming in a good moment, a strong race in Qatar and we had a good test before in Mandalika, but a lot has changed since then.

"They’ve resurfaced the track which should be a big help, but we have to see what it’s like when we arrive. The plan is to continue working how we did during Qatar and in the test and to keeping unlocking our full potential.”

Espargaro's third place in Qatar, behind Enea Bastianini (Ducati) and Brad Binder (KTM), also meant Marc Marquez suffered a rare defeat at the hands of a Repsol Honda team-mate.

The eight-time world champion, who openly admits he is yet to feel fully comfortable on the new rear grip orientated RC213V, crossed the line in fifth place but also set a consistently high pace in the Mandalika test.

“We made improvements over the weekend in Qatar and it’s clear to see there is a lot of potential there," Marquez said. "I’m really happy to return to Mandalika, it is great to be able to see all our Indonesian fans and to finally put on a great show for them after so many years.

"I hope our fans enjoy it and we can put together a good weekend for them to celebrate. Another weekend presents another chance to understand the bike more and get closer again to fighting at the front, it’s early days and we keep on pushing.”

Marquez has an impressive record of victories at new MotoGP venues, winning the inaugural race held at COTA, Buriram and Termas de Rio Hondo.

Meanwhile Indonesia holds fond memories for the Repsol Honda Team, with Mick Doohan and Tadayuki Okada winning the two previous races held in Sentul in 1996 and 1997.