Alex Marquez all set for intense Misano Grand Prix battle

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Álex Márquez is anticipating an intense battle in scorching hot conditions in tomorrow’s 26-lap Moto2 race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Márquez left his time attack until the closing stages of a session that took place in gloriously sunny conditions that saw the ambient temperature nudge close to a physically taxing 30 degrees.

The Spaniard ended final practice this morning in a strong eighth place and he improved by almost half-a-second in qualifying.

A time of 1’38.051 secured Márquez a place on the fourth row of the grid but his race pace throughout the weekend suggests the 20-year-old will be able to charge through the pack to launch a top six challenge.

Álex Márquez: 12th – 1’38.051
“I’m happy with my race pace and I think in qualifying I was just missing a tenth and the result would have been much better. Just a small improvement in lap time would have put me on the second row but I already knew it was going to be close in qualifying. I tried to push hard at the beginning of the session when it was slightly easier to make a good lap time but I struggled a little in the hot conditions. We know the race will be run in extremely hot weather tomorrow, so it is going to be a very tough race physically for me and also for the performance of the tyres. A lot will depend on the start and the first lap, so I am confident I can get away with the lead group and put up a strong fight.”

Source: Marc VDS Racing