MotoGP: Marquez pleased to make European return

Marc Marquez has admitted that he’s been relieved to make it back to Europe for some much-needed R&R after MotoGP’s three-week trip to Asia and Australia left him, as well as many others in the paddock, suffering from the effects of so much travel.

And, winning the championship at the first of the trio of races in Japan, he says it’s also been nice to finally get a chance to celebrate his fifth world title with family and friends after so much time away.

“It has been good coming back home after the three flyaway races with the title already won, and to celebrate it with all my family and friends. I had the chance to chill out a bit and get back to my usual training, both indoors in the gym and outdoors with some motocross and cycling. ‘Thanks’ to the jetlag, I had the opportunity to enjoy some really spectacular dawns on my bicycle!”

But with one race left in Valencia this weekend, he’s also excited to end the 2016 championship on a high as well as to enjoy two crucial days of testing with the new 2017-sepcification Honda RCV213 afterwards.

Anyway, the season isn’t over yet, as we’ll race in Valencia on Sunday, and after that we’ll have two important days of testing. Our target for the race is of course to try and finish on a high in front of our fans, possibly with a win or at least a podium. It was good to see that Dani is getting better and to know he’ll be back in Valencia.”