Marquez: You need to be very precise

Marc Marquez is expecting to play a part in another 'great race' at Assen this Sunday, providing his Repsol Honda can be strong through the fast changes of direction that characterise the historic Dutch MotoGP circuit.

Marquez has broken 37 points clear at the head of the MotoGP standings after home victory in Catalunya was combined with a DNF for closest rival Andrea Dovizioso.

The Ducati rider was among three frontrunners brought down by Marquez's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo on lap 2 in Barcelona.

Marquez only missed the carnage by metres, passing Dovizioso just before Lorenzo's accident, then inflicted further pain on his rivals with a fourth victory of the season.

That means his points lead has grown at all four events since the Austin error, a run he will seek to continue via a repeat of last season's TT win, during one of the most exciting races of the season.

“Assen is a circuit where you need to be very precise and it’s difficult to be consistent there," said the reigning five-time MotoGP champion.

"To be strong in the fast change of directions is really important to go well at Assen."

Fast changes of direction are one of the areas where the 'heavier' handling of the latest machine could prove problematic, although Marquez has so far been able to benefit overall from the more powerful 2019 engine.

"I’m looking forward to racing there again as we have had some good battles in the past and have put on a great show for the fans," Marquez added.

"I am sure we will have a great race on Sunday. The weather is also looking good so I am confident we can have a strong weekend.”

Marquez is currently the only RCV rider in the world championship top seven. Takaaki Nakagami is next best on the lone 2018-spec bike, with LCR team-mate Cal Crutchlow tenth and Lorenzo 15th.

The quartet will have added motivation for this weekend since it marks Honda's 60th racing anniversary.