Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez is looking ahead to the Austin Grand Prix after opening the defence of his title by finishing fifth in Qatar.

The 22-year-old veered off the track at the first corner, which pushed him to the back of the field, but the Spaniard was able to claim fifth by the end of the race last weekend.

"In the end okay, it's only 11 points, but they are 11 points we have already there, and the most important thing was the rhythm of the race was like the top riders," MCN quotes Marquez as saying.

"I push a lot all the race, in the end I finish fifth, which is not the best result, it's the worst result in my motogp career finishing the race, but it's like that. In Austin, we will try to change this result."

Valentino Rossi won the opening race.