Marquez sets the pace in Sepang

Moto2 champion excites with an impressive display in testing in Malaysia

SPANIARD Marc Marquez is proving a hot prospect for the coming season, setting the fastest lap in testing at Sepang.

The 19 year-old recorded a best time of2m01.355s, 0.6 seconds faster than countryman Alvaro Bautista's best of 2min01.89s. Marquez's time is just a second slower than Jorge Lorenzo recorded to get pole position at the last Malaysian GP. 

On the first dry day at Sepang since testing began, the 2012 Moto2 World Champion completed 60 laps, having been frustrated by wet conditions on Monday and at the previous test in Valencia. 

Marquez said: 'In the morning the track was a little wet still from yesterday but it dried up pretty quickly and we were able to go out on track at around 11.30am and make use of the entire day.

'I also tried the 2013 prototype today which felt good, but it's more important that I take my time to learn the MotoGP bike and adapt my riding style to suit these bigger machines.'

Rookie Marquez will ride alongside Dani Pedrosa at Repsol Honda for the next two years.