Marquez: “We have played our Joker.”

Assen has generally been thought of as “a Yamaha track”, but Marquez has had superior pace over the two days, culminating in pole.

“One of the most important differences is the front wings,” he said.

“In the past we arrived without them. Now the stability is much more.”

While wings are nominally banned, “aero bodywork” is accepted, with many of the designs little different from the original winglets, but for being part of a closed loop. Each manufacturer is allowed one update during the season, with each rider being permitted different bodywork.

Honda exercised the update right early, testing the current bodywork – very similar to that shown by Yamaha from the first season – at the French GP, second race of the European season, where Marquez said: “We have played our Joker.”

By Michael Scott