Marquez admits Honda upgrades didn’t work in testing

The Spaniard ended up with only the eighth-fastest time on Monday, having tried out a revised chassis as well as a new exhaust and different electronic settings designed to improve acceleration.

And while Honda did end up topping the session courtesy of satellite LCR rider Cal Crutchlow, points leader Marquez conceded that the new parts were not a step forward for the Japanese manufacturer.

"Obviously I would have liked to leave here with something else [to help], but it's also true that the worst circuits are behind us and the ones coming up suit us better,” he said.

"I had high hopes, that's true, and I was excited, because there were plenty of new things. But they don't always work and you are not always satisfied.

"Last year was much more productive. This time we gathered data that will give us more information about the chassis we have now.

“The negative side is that the new one was just the opposite of what my riding style needs.”

Dani Pedrosa was already using the new chassis during the Catalunya race, where he finished third behind Valentino Rossi and Marquez.

The 30-year-old finished the Monday test only 10th fastest, and while he insisted the timesheets were irrelevant, he agreed with teammate Marquez that the test had not been a success.

“We didn't focus on laptimes or long runs,” said Pedrosa. “We worked on the handling, in testing the new chassis, on corner exit and some electronics.

“But we haven't managed to improve,” he admitted.