MotoGP: Marquez admits injured hand "hurts a lot"

Marc Marquez says his injured hand "hurts a lot" but will be manageable for racing in MotoGP's Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez on Sunday.

The Honda rider had surgery to repair a fractured finger last Saturday after he crashed while training on a motocross bike and then had his hand run over by a friend. Despite the injury, he completed 16 laps in each of the two Friday practice sessions, going eighth quickest in the morning then second to Jorge Lorenzo in the afternoon.

"We can be happy that my hand has responded quite well today, as well as could be expected," said Marquez. "It hurts a lot but at least I can put in the laps. We'll see if tomorrow it is better if it doesn't swell up."

Yamaha had the edge on Friday, as Lorenzo went fastest in both sessions, and Marquez admitted Honda had a little work to do.

"I'm feeling pretty good with it and we are working well, but we need to improve some things - especially in the afternoon - when the track temperature rises," he said. "The race will be at this time, so we have to improve the setup accordingly."

Originally on Autosport.com