Breaking news
MotoGP Malaysian GP
Marquez: Suzuki can now fight for the MotoGP title
Marc Marquez reckons Suzuki is ready to fight for the MotoGP title, as the Hamamatsu-based team's strong form continued with Alex Rins topping Friday practice at Sepang.
David Gruz
Published: Nov 2, 2018, 1:05 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Suzuki has improved considerably since its difficult 2017 season, and Marquez claimed it could win races as early as the Qatar opener, which was followed by three podium finishes by the team.
While Suzuki has yet to win this year and had a mid-season slump, it is enjoying a competitive end to the season with three podium finishes in the last four races - including second last time out in Australia for Andrea Iannone.
Suzuki had a strong start at Sepang as well with Rins topping second practice on Friday, and Marquez reckons Suzuki can now challenge for the title.
"No, it was not a surprise [to see Rins first], Suzuki is working good, I think the bike is ready to fight for the championship," said Marquez, who was Rins' closest challenger in FP2.
"Already in the races, they are riding a very good way since Aragon so the bike is competitive. They have very good turning in the middle of the corner.
"Maybe the weak point of Suzuki is the top speed, but when you are behind them, the turning, is so good.
"This is one of the strong points of Suzuki and also the grip on the exit of the corners. The top speed is not the best one but the acceleration is really good."
Maverick Vinales added that it is now "normal" to see Rins at the top as Suzuki has been strong in several weekends.
"He is good, it didn't surprise me," commented the Yamaha rider, who was fourth-fastest in FP2. "The Suzuki was in a great shape in Phillip Island, Japan, Aragon so it is normal.
"Both riders are great, so it is normal the Suzukis are there at the top. I remember '16 [when I was with Suzuki], in FP3 I think I was first.
"The bike works here really good, so not only are Marc and [Andrea] Dovizioso gonna go fast in the race, also Alex is going to be there."
Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont and Scherazade Mulia Saraswati
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Rossi: Size difference to Vinales is a disadvantage
Next article Why KTM must be wary of 'the Pedrosa factor'
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
David Gruz
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
World Superbike
World Superbike
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
World Superbike
World Superbike
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
MotoGP
MotoGP
Sepang February testing
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
More from
Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez unveils simple plan as he closes in on MotoGP title: "Train, eat, sleep, repeat"
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
6 h
Marc Marquez unveils simple plan as he closes in on MotoGP title: "Train, eat, sleep, repeat"
Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi disagree on Qatar MotoGP sprint clash
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi disagree on Qatar MotoGP sprint clash
More from
Team Suzuki MotoGP
The MotoGP philosophy Suzuki's "madman" installed that Honda and Yamaha can't
MotoGP
MotoGP
The MotoGP philosophy Suzuki's "madman" installed that Honda and Yamaha can't
Mir: No publicity campaign will replicate what MotoGP gave Suzuki
MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Mir: No publicity campaign will replicate what MotoGP gave Suzuki
Bizarre Suzuki test planned on eve of MotoGP exit
MotoGP
MotoGP
Bizarre Suzuki test planned on eve of MotoGP exit
Latest news
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
22 min
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
54 min
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
1 h
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe