Martin has momentum on his side after claiming victory in the Indian MotoGP sprint and finꦦishing second in the main race while title rival Francesco Bagnaia crashed out.

And on day-one at Motegi it looked as thoꦿugh Martin held the advantage again before the reig🤡ning world champion popped into P2 late on.

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Not concerned, Martin’s race pace was very impressive and should put him in the mix to fight for victory, however, it’s one-lap pace that has the S🐽paniard concerned.

A difficult morning session despite toppin𝄹g it, Martin told MotoGP.com: "It was a strange morning. A lot of th✱ings happened inside my box. 

"Maybe you don’t realise but it was a bit of a disast൩er even though I was first in the morning. In the afternoon I was super competitive in terms of pace but I str🐼uggled to do a time attack lap. 

"I was fast but not fast enough to be close to Pecco and Brad. Even so, I was really competitive and had a good practice [session]. Hopefully tomorrow we can make another ste♔p."

Martin felt as though the issue♚s over one-lap were due to💦 a lack of traction coming out of the corners.

That said, Martin feels enough good work wa✱s done to suggest he can be a threat to Bagnaia, who himself had a difficult second practice.

"The time attack is the place we need to improve," addedꦰ Martin. "I feel like the rear grip on accelerat🌞ion is not the best we need to understand and improve. 

"But we are close. I’m confident and relaxed that▨ my team will find imp꧙rovements."