PHILLIP ISLAND, VICTORIA - OCTOBER 20: Nicky Hayden of USA and Repsol Honda Team (L) and Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team smile during the press conference pre-event during previews ahead of the 2016 MotoGP of Australia at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on October 20, 2016 in Phillip Island, Australia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

The Repsol Honda Moto GP are preparing to contest this weekend's sixth round of the 2017 season at the Mugello circuit, but they do so with heavy hearts after a very difficult week sadly marked by the loss of fellow Honda rider and close friend Nicky Hayden.

The plan was to test last Monday in preparation for the Italian GP, but the news shattered both riders and as such the test was rescheduled for the Wednesday.

“We were preparing to leave for Montmeló for a one-day test last week when we received the terrible news of Nicky's passing. He was a great rider and an incredible person,” Marc Marquez said. “I remember once, when I was a kid of 15 at the very beginning of my career in the world championship and he was the MotoGP World Champion.”

“We took part in an event together and my English was very poor, so he tried to speak Spanish and he was very funny and easy-going, treating me as if I was his little brother. And then we shared the garage last year in Australia and had a great party together after the race. Like his amazing family, he had a great passion for motorcycling, and he will always be in our hearts.”

On the Wednesday both riders took part in a productive one-day test at Circuit de Catalunya, and they now prepare for two back-to-back races in Mugello and Montmeló.

Marc scored the first GP win of his career in the 2010 125cc racein Mugello and went on to collect two additional victories: 1 x Moto2 (2011) and 1 x MGP (2014). He also scored a second-place result last year at the Italian track, and he has two pole positions to his credit.

“ As for the test, we worked on the bike setup and we especially focused in trying the Michelin front tyre that we'll use starting with the next race in Mugello,” he added. “With this tyre I experienced less movement on the front, and the feeling was more consistent throughout the lap. It remains to understand how it will go for an entire race, but anyway, with my riding style I generally feel better with it and I'm confident that in Mugello it will help me a bit more.”