MotoGP: Gastroenteritis not enough to slow Marquez

A bout of gastroenteritis hasn’t been enough to slow Marc Marquez on the opening day of MotoGP action at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with the Repsol Honda rider finishing clear of the field thanks to an early fast lap at Sepang.

Making the most of a dry free practice one session, he was able to get in a fast time before rain struck the remainder of the day, and with wet conditions for free practice two the new world champion elected to sit it out.

“In the morning I didn’t feel very well – I’ve had gastroenteritis for the last two days – but I was able to go out and ride even though I was not at 100%. After the session and the effort I put in, I began feeling worse, because gastroenteritis also dehydrates you. Looking at the track conditions, we decided not to go out. Tomorrow we’ll try to improve and I think it has been good for me not go out there, and to instead save myself for Saturday and especially Sunday.”

Maverick Viñales finished the day a quarter of a second behind Marquez, with Scott Redding an impressive third, with the Pramac Ducati rider fast in both wet and dry conditions at the resurfaced track.

Jack Miller resumed his Assen form in free practice two, topping the session from fellow Honda rider Cal Crutchlow, in a session that saw the satellite bikes shine with the first factory machine Andrea Dovizioso back in seventh.