Puig: We understand that Marc Marquez is returning to his real potential

Even though Marc Marquez suffered a late crash in the Austrian MotoGP, for three quarters of the race the eight-time world champion looked close to his best. 

Before the race began, Marquez was an unlikely contender for the win, however, the Repsol rider got stronger and stronger as the race went on. 

Marquez was able to make the soft rear tyre last until rain came with five laps to go, even taking the lead from Francesco Bagnaia before heading down pit lane for a bike swap. 

But surprisingly, it was the wet conditions that proved to be the undoing for Marquez as he crashed with three laps remaining - beginning of his second lap on the wet tyres. 

Still, it was promising signs for Marquez and Honda who have both seemed to make steps forward in recent rounds. 

Team Manager of Repsol Honda, Alberto Puig said this about Marquez. "Obviously, the final result was not good, but if we look at Marc's race we can see that even if he had disadvantages, he was able to go with the top riders and stay with them in the dry. 

"That's important for Marc Marquez and also very important for the Repsol Honda Team because we understand that he is returning to his real potential. 

"We are leaving Austria of course missing some of the potential in our RC213V, but we are constantly working to improve. We are not there yet but we are on the way."

For Marquez’ team-mate Pol Espargaro it was another disappointing round as he finished outside the points. 

Puig alluded to the feeling between the Spaniard and RC213V machine being ‘negative’ at present: "Also, the understanding between Pol Espargaró and his bike is negative. 

"He is far away from his potential, and he is missing out on the bike’s potential. He is suffering and we need to work with him to overcome the situation."