Le Mans MotoGP: Marquez says he starts from zero in France

The current MotoGP points leader has no prior top-class experience of the French track, in contrast to Losail, Austin and Jerez, all of which were used as pre-season test venues.

Le Mans was one of only three tracks at which Marquez failed to capture at least a podium during last year's title-winning Moto2 campaign, although he did beat Yuki Takahashi and Stefan Bradl to victory in 2011.

"We go to Le Mans and we arrive there starting from zero, as I haven't done any tests there," Marquez said.

"I'll do my best and I'll try to make the most of the situation.

"I hope it doesn't rain so we can prepare the bike on a dry track, this is very important to find the right set-up.

"I'm very happy at the moment but we have to keep our feet on the ground as the coming circuits are new for me in MotoGP.

"A huge part of our success in this first part of the season is down to the help that Honda and the team have given me and it had helped my riding a lot."

Marquez struggled to match the pace of the frontrunners in MotoGP's first Jerez test, but was able to capture second in the race following a last-corner pass on Jorge Lorenzo.