Marquez chasing COTA magnificent seven

If you were to pick a track to try and beat Marc Marquez at, COTA would not be it.

The reigning MotoGP champion has qualified on pole position (although he started fourth last year after a penalty) and taken victory on all six of MotoGP's previous visits to Austin.

The Repsol Honda star, who has also set the fastest race lap on five out of six occasions, arrives in Austin having taken the world championship lead by four points over Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) courtesy of a flawless victory in Argentina.

“We only had a short time to relax between races but I am ready to go again!" Marquez said. "COTA is one of my favourite tracks; these counter-clockwise circuits always seem to suit my style the best.

"Although we have achieved a lot of success here in the past, we will work as we always do from Free Practice 1 and remain focused. Every year when you go to a track there are new things to understand and adapt to.”

Given Marquez and Honda’s record on American soil, new team-mate Jorge Lorenzo is eager to see how he will perform on his new machine.

The triple MotoGP champion, still recovering from wrist and rib injuries, suffered problems from the start of the race in Argentina, when he accidentally engaged the pit lane speed limiter.

The Spaniard, twice a podium finisher for Yamaha at COTA, later struggled with a broken handlebar grip on his way to twelfth place at Termas de Rio Hondo.

"After the disappointment in Argentina I am ready to get back out on track and ride again," Lorenzo said. "The result didn’t show it, but we made good progress last time and we are understanding the bike more and more.

"When the conditions offer grip, I feel very strong on the Honda – the team and I just need more time riding to understand how to have this strong feeling when the grip is less.”