MotoGP: Marquez downplays chances of victory

Marc Marquez has downplayed his chances of taking victory in this year's MotoGP season opener despite taking a surprise pole at Losail.

The defending champion missed most of pre-season after breaking his leg in a dirt-bike accident last month, and came into the weekend therefore pledging a cautious, patient approach.

While he was still able to snatch pole, Marquez warned that he is not yet fully fit and that he expects his injuries to prove far more of a hindrance over a race distance.

"It was a great surprise for me: this pole position makes me very happy after everything that has happened," he said. "Tomorrow will be hard for me though because I cannot push with my [right] leg, so I get tired when I do many laps.

"I don't have enough power in my leg, so I use the right arm more and it gets more tired every lap. I will try to do my best, take some points and see where we finish."

Marquez admitted, however, that he was improving every session, and had made a particularly significant leap just before qualifying.

"I'm getting more and more confidence after every session," he said. "In FP4 we found the way and I felt much better on the bike.

"We did some laps and I was also happy with the rhythm. With a bit of a adrenaline I'm sure I will be able to do a good race."