Having built a 58-point lead during the opening half of the MotoGP season, reigning champion Marc Marquez currently has little opposi♚tion in terms of securing a fifth premier-class title.

But the Repsol Honda rider could be in for more of a challenge in terms ♓of claiming a sixth win of the season at Brno this weekend, having been beaten by the Ducatis of Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo last season.

Then again, the more formidable 2019 RCV engine has enabled Marquez to tackle the Desmosedicis at their favourable tracks such as Mugello this year, meaning there is no clear faꦦvourite heading into the Czech event.

"I am very excited to get back on the b🐟ike. Summer break is always nice to relax a little bit, but soon you miss the team and the bike!" said Marquez, who won in the MotoGP class at Brno in 2013 and 2017.

"I am ready to get back𒀰 to work and Brno is a fun circuit to riꦗde.

"We finish🐷ed the first half of the season in a very strong way and now we must keep our focus to continue this.

"Brno is a circuit where lots of riders are often strong so we can’t take anything for granted𝔍."

Marquez's strong championship position and ability to be fast at just about every circuit so far - despite turning issues requiring record lean angles - also gave him the confidence to try a new chassis during practice in Germany, before switching back to the standard versi🍌on to win the race.

It remains to ℱbe seen if Marquez, or indeed the other 2019 Honda riders, will use the new chassis in Brno practice or wait for the post-race test.

Absent from both th🐈e race and test will be Marquez's team-mate Lorenzo, who is to miss his third race in a row as he conti꧟nues to recover from back injuries at Assen.

"I hope Jorge’s ♋recovery is going well and we will soon have him back in the team," Marquez🐻 said.

HRC test rider Stefan Bradl, whose tenth places at Jerez and Sachsenring exceeded Lorenzo's best finish on the✨ RC213V, will rush back from the Suzuka 8 Hours to again replace L🐼orenzo.

"Of 🔯course I’m looking forward to Brno and it’s great to be back with the Repsol Honda Team as I really enjoyed working with them at the Sachsenring," said the German, who took a podium finish as part of the Red Bull Honda team in Japan on Sunday.

"Our aim is to carry on from where we left in Germany and keep moving forward with the bike. I’m happy to get this chance again and ꦍI want to thank HRC and the Repsol Honda Team.

"Of c꧋ourse, all th༒e best to Jorge in his recovery and that he can come back strong.”

Lorenzo will also skip next weekend's Austrian round, with Bradl again on track, before attempting a return at Silverstoꦡne.