Honda pleased with Marquez performance in 2016

Marquez has regained his championship-winning form in 2016, holding a 48-point lead in the riders' standings after nine races — finishing on the podium in eight of them.

Marc Marquez, 23, stormed onto the MotoGP scene in 2013, winning back-to-back titles in his first two seasons in the premier class.

Two-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has improved even more in 2016, according to Repsol Honda team principal Livio Suppo.

Marquez, 23, stormed onto the MotoGP scene in 2013, winning back-to-back titles in his first two seasons in the premier class.

However, the Spaniard struggled last year, retiring six times as he finished in third behind Yamaha pair Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.

But Marquez has regained his championship-winning form in 2016, holding a 48-point lead in the riders' standings after nine races — finishing on the podium in eight of them. 

Asked if Marquez's improved performances have surprised him, Suppo told Crash.net: "Not surprised, I'm really pleased. It proves Marc is very intelligent. He has learned a lot. 

"Because he had already won two titles everyone forgot how young he is. Last year was only his third season in MotoGP and came after he had dominated the 2014 season.

"At that age it is normal to think you are unbeatable. And this can make you push a little too much in some races. I think he learned the lesson very well, by himself I believe. 

"All riders have a super ego and if they don't really understand something for themselves, if they don't really feel 'sick in their stomach' about something, they will not change. 

"So sometimes last year after he fell, Marc was saying 'I will not change'."