Alex Marquez and Alex Rins sign off preseason testing on a high

Alex Rins and Alex Marquez ended their Moto3 preseason today, one week before the first race of the year at the Losail Circuit in Qatar.

Emilio Alzamora’s proteges continued to make progress during three days of testing at the Jerez circuit, completing the final shakedown with the second fastest time –set by Marquez– and the tenth fastest –by Rins as he placed eleventh on the combined timesheet for the three days.

On this last day in Jerez, the Repsol riders continued making steps forward with a dominant Alex Marquez leading the way. Clocking the best time of the second session –1:46.359– he finished the day just 0.033 off top rider Jack Miller. Alex Rins set a time of 1:46.694, 3 tenths off the Australian.

Following this test, the preseason comes to a close with Rins and Marquez ready to face the Qatar Grand Prix in seven days time.

Alex Rins – 1:46.694, 61 laps, 270 km.
“We have taken a step forward from yesterday and we have found a first base setup, but we’re still lacking something. This preseason has maybe been the hardest for me, because of the injury and the new bike. We have done many laps and this has been more difficult than other years, but more work lies ahead before Qatar. All progress today will help us over the course of the year. This was the day of we have taken the most advantage and I could see where the limit was. We have analysed what went well and what did not work as expected, and we have tried to improve most of all the first part of the corners where we were losing most time. We did so, but maybe I needed one more day to take away a better time.”

Alex Marquez – 1:46.359 , 74 laps, 327 km.
“At the end of yesterday we had already found our way forward and what we had to work on during the final day. Today I was motivated and convinced that we could improve on the aspects that we’d found difficult. We have been consistent and that is the most important thing, rather than setting a fast lap. I think we are ready to Qatar. There is still work to do, but we are in good shape. It has been a difficult preseason, developing a new bike with the support of Honda. They have come through with bringing us new parts, which have allowed us to improve and, in the end, this last day has been very positive. We head to Qatar very motivated and eager to do well.”

Source: Repsol Media