The eight-time world champion spent the earl꧂y part of second practice in the top three positions, as he lit up the timingsheets alongside brother Alex.

However, when it came to time attack performance he and t꧙he rema𓆉ining three Hondas had no answers for their rivals.

• Bagnaia confident about his chances:𒈔 ‘Pace with used tyres was really positive’ 
• Bautisꦬta’s first thoughts: ‘I don’t feel so comfortable yet, but I enjoyed it’

Marquez did admit the race ღpace from his RC213V was strong, but the Spaniard will have to go through Q1 after finishing Friday’s running in 15th.

“At some tracks we have the one lap spee♒d and not the pace, but here it is the opposite, and our pace is quite good, but the one lap speed is not there,” began Marquez. 

“It was a day that we were expectin𓂃g, so it is not a big surprise. I started both sessions well but couldn’t find that extra bit when we switched to the time attack. 

“Qualifying will be very important, with two races starts this year, so I will kee🦩p giving my 100% to see what’s poss💞ible in Q1.”

Team-🔯mate Joan Mir was one place back in 16th as h💎e finished just over a tenth down on Marquez. 

Struggling with the same problems as pre﷽vious rounds, Mir said: “It’s a pretty similar Friday to what we have had throughout the year honestly. 

“It’s difficult to make big steps here, the grip changed a lot here over the course of the 💃day and I felt prettꦇy good with the second and third tyres we used in the afternoon. 

“Tomorrow we will keep trying to improve and giving our all, hopefu⭕lly we can be close to thꦜe spots moving into Q2. 

“It will be i൩mportant to see what the weather does as well.”