---
title: "Marquez ‘not 100%’ but expects stronger Brno weekend"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/08/18/marquez-not-100-expects-stronger-brno/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Issatt"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2016-08-18T18:57:26Z"
modified: "2016-08-18T18:57:26Z"
---

# Marquez ‘not 100%’ but expects stronger Brno weekend

Two-time world champion Marc Marquez expects a stronger weekend at the Czech MotoGP.

The Spaniard’s Honda was nowhere near the pace five days ago in Austria, a race dominated by Ducati, but he still came home in what was an impressive fifth position.

That’s because the result was probably the best he could have achieved even before dislocating his shoulder in a high-speed crash on Saturday morning at the Red Bull Ring.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the action getting underway at Brno on Friday, Marquez admitted his injury wasn’t perfect.

“The shoulder we can say it’s not 100%, but it’s fixed and won’t be a problem for this weekend,” he said defiantly

“At the moment if I work well in the gym the shoulder will be fixed but who knows in the future.”

With the premium being on braking stability and power around the Austrian circuit, last weekend’s return to Spielberg was never going to suit what has been a buccaneering Honda machine at times in 2016.

Back on a more technical layout at Brno, however, Marquez was confident of fighting at the very front on Sunday.

“Everything looks fine at the moment, and it looks like Brno will be a better circuit for us,” he hoped.

“We’ll try and fight for the victory, and if it’s not possible to win just try and not lose too many points to the Yamaha riders.”

That final point of maintaining as much of what is now a 43-point lead in the Riders’ championship as possible was something Marquez highlighted when he reflected on what was a tough weekend.

“It was an important fifth place in Austria because Lorenzo only took five points more, and Valentino only two,” he said.

“So I’m happy about that because we were struggling at the Red Bull Ring and could have lost a lot of points.”

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/08/588673804-1.jpg)

Certainly, while Marquez may be keen to downplay the impact of his shoulder injury, he will be very hopeful of getting through this weekend without incident.

The Spaniard has been excellent at maximising what is clearly an inferior bike in several areas compared to their rivals, while also taking advantage of opportunities presented by the Yamaha pair.

Doing so again in Brno is crucial before he can focus on overcoming any lasting effects from his shoulder in the two-week break before Silverstone.

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