Marc Marquez’s crew chief has offered a pretty big clue aboutཧ how they can claw themselves closer to the front in MotoGP.

The first two rounds of the 2024 season have been an impressive indi🎐cation of Marquez’s ability on a Ducati, having left Honda.

He was fourth in♔ the Qatar grand prix then on the podium in the Portimao spri🦂nt.

But Marquez was knocked down by Fr🥂ancesco Bagnaia in the Portuguese MotoGP as they fought for fifth, and ended up 16th.

“Unfortunate end,” his crew chief Frankie Carchedi posted to socia🐷l media.

“Some big positives from theℱ weekend. The next step is to start closer to the front and get c𒐪lean air… step by step.

“Can have the best race pace, however in a race sitཧuation it’s very different.

“Being at the ba🔜ck of the front group the front overheats.

“We struggled for speed from the last corner and most passes today were in🍰 T1. Qp made it tough. Next step is clear!”

Gresini rider Marquez made the Portimao weekend difficult for himself after qualifying ꦜ𝐆in eighth.

A yea♊r earlier he had q𒁃ualified in pole position at the same circuit on a Honda

.

He was in contention to claim a front row start again, but he lost the front of hꦦis Ducati during qualifying. On a second bike, he salvaged P8, which was scant consolation for the pace he had hinted at previously.

Cle🦩arly, that𝔉 early error undermined Marquez’s two races in Portimao, his crew chief believes.

The third round of the MotoGP season is a fortnight away a꧒t the𒁏 Circuit of the Americas.

The April 12-14 event will now see Marquez apply extra focus to his Saturday qualifying runs to avoid the mistake which hampered him ﷽in Portugal.

His crash in Portimao qualifying 🌊meant that the excellent race pace he later ꩲdemonstrated could not be used to its full potential.

COTA is one of ಞMarquez’s favourite circuits, a track he has previously do🌸minated.

He won at COTA six years in a row from 2013-18.

Given his eye-catching first laps on the year-old Ducati, the upcoming⛦ COTA round will have Marquez fans salivating and his critics a little worried…