Warning for Marc Marquez after fast test debut: “The others were not motivated…”

Marquez was fourth-fastest at the hugely encouraging postseason test in Valencia, the first time he rode a Ducati.

His smile upon returning to the Gresini box was taken as a symbol of his happiness with his new machine, and as a result the possibility of newfound competitiveness this year.

Fonsi Nieto told Relevo that he is certain Marquez will return to form: “One hundred percent sure, one hundred percent sure.

“They asked me in Valencia after testing 'have you been surprised by what Marc Marquez has done?’

“No. He did exactly what I expected.

“I'll also tell you something else: Marc gave the one hundred percent he had in that testing session, after everything that has happened and with the accumulated anger.

“And I can tell you that many of the others were looking at the clock and asking for the time, because after a whole championship, getting back on the bike on a Monday, on practically the same bike...

“They were not motivated to the maximum.

“It's not that Marquez is going to arrive now and devastate everyone.

“Is he going to be fighting? Completely.

“The fans stop you and say: 'Marc is going to win next year!'

“Hey, calm down, the others also race and the others also go fast.

“Pecco has two world championships, and there are more riders with world championships.

“Will he be there to win races? Sure. But it's not 'Marquez arrives and wins tomorrow'.”

As well as adapting to a year-old version of a new bike, Marquez must battle against Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin who will be equipped with GP24s and should fight at the front again.

He must also navigate the new world of Ducati and the internal challenges that may be presented.

Will that be a problem?

“He is a guy with eight world championships who, obviously, imposes himself on the other riders just because of his record,” said Fonsi Nieto, the nephew of the legendary Angel Nieto who now works at Pramac Ducati.

“And because of how he achieved it. He's not a guy you like to fight with, because he's a very elusive guy who doesn't give up.

“But I have talked about it in the box with the team: if we have been fighting for a championship with the best, then we will have to do it also having Marc in the same conditions.

“I think it has to be a motivation, not an obsession.

“In the end, you open a newspaper, they talk about Marc Marquez. Just like when Valentino Rossi was there.

“Well, that makes the riders tense.

“But if you want to be a champion, you have to fight with the best.”

Nieto will be charged with preparing Pramac’s Jorge Martin (and his new teammate Franco Morbidelli) to defeat Marquez and co.