Moto2: Marc Marquez still recovering from vision problems
By Lisa Lewis
2011 Moto2 World Championship runner-up Marc Marquez has revealed that his vision is currently still not clear enough to ride a Moto2 bike - and he does not yet know if it will have improved enough to take part in the first 2012 test at Valencia from February 8th.
In an interview with 20minutos.es the former 125cc world champion discussed his recovery since the free practice crash in Malaysia where he picked up the condition, initially causing double vision, which prevented him from battling Stefan Bradl for the title.
"I am almost 100%. I must admit that the first few weeks were difficult, I felt uncomfortable, but now I have returned to an almost normal life, although I still cannot ride a motorcycle. For this, my vision must be perfect and I do not want to take risks" he said.
"However there are improvements every day and my goal is to be in good condition for the first test of the year, in February. In theory to get to that, we want to be one hundred percent physically."
Marquez went on to discuss the importance of the test and who he expects to be his rivals for the title.
"I hope to be there because it promises to be particularly challenging season. I clearly want to win the championship, but with riders like Elias, Luthi, Iannone, De Angelis and Pol Espargaro it will not be easy. "
The Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol rider remains with a Suter chassis for the 2012 season, a collaboration which caused unrest in Moto2 in 2011 when Suter were accused of offering Marquez special treatment and early use of prototype parts.
The Spaniard does not see this as relevant, he believes the mix of team and rider are the key to winning the championship.
"The Kalex is a competitive bike, they proved it last year with Stefan Bradl. I am convinced that the team can make a difference: the bikes are all more or less similar it is the work of the team to put the rider in a position to win.
"I'm comfortable with Suter and it is, without doubt, a motorcycle capable of winning. For the first test we will use the bike that we have already had the opportunity to experience the last few races of last year. "
With Bradl moving to MotoGP, a fully fit Marquez would be the 2012 title favourite.
Moto2 and Moto3 testing is scheduled to be held at Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit from 8th - 10th February 2012.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
