Marc Marquez tests with 2014 Honda MotoGP chassis at Barcelona
Marc Marquez reverted to Honda's 2014 MotoGP chassis in a thunderstorm-curtailed test at Barcelona on Monday in a bid to get on top of his 2015 problems
The reigning world champion suffered his third crash in five races early in Sunday's Catalunya Grand Prix, and has had an increasing struggle with the Honda's handling in recent rounds.
He is now 69 points behind championship leader Valentino Rossi and has not been on the podium since the Jerez race at the start of May.
Honda fitted a 2014 chassis with a '15 engine, swingarm and exhaust for Marquez to try at Barcelona on Monday.
Although heavy rain meant running ceased after 90 minutes, he said the combination had been promising.
"We didn't have much luck with the weather today, it started to rain very early on and we could only do three runs," said Marquez.
"The important thing is that the one point we did try - last year's chassis with this year's swingarm and engine - gave us a positive feeling.
"We have to confirm our findings and compare the telemetry, because it wasn't a huge step forward and we couldn't do many laps, but the first impressions were good.
"The rain interrupted our work, but we'll see if we can continue working in this way because I'm feeling better on the bike all the time."
Tech 3 Yamaha rider Bradley Smith was fastest in the period of running that took place, ahead of Suzuki pair Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro, with Marquez fourth.
Yamaha had planned to run at the test with a revised chassis, but packed up due to the weather and will have a session at Aragon instead.
The factory Ducatis did not participate either.
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