MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez was edged into second place in Friday’s practice for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Aragon, where he will be looking for a record-equalling 12th win in 14 races.

The Honda star, who won the 2013 race from pole position on his way to the world title, ended the day 0.043sec behind Italy’s Andrea Dovizioso on a Ducati.

Victory on Sunday would take Marquez level with Australia’s Michael Doohan, who won 12 races in 1997, the record for most victories in one season in the sport’s elite division.

“Our first day went well and I enjoyed riding in front of the home fans. I felt good on the bike and had a good pace, which is what we were focusing on the most today,” said Marquez.

“The track was quite slippery but I like it like this. However, tomorrow we will try to define which tyres to use and refine the set-up, then see if we can get onto the front row for Sunday and have a great race.”

Marquez, 21, holds a commanding 74-point lead with five legs of the 2014 season remaining, although he suffered a disastrous race last time out when he came home 15th at San Marino.

The Misano race was won by Valentino Rossi on a Yamaha and the veteran Italian racer now stands in third place in the world championship on 214 points, 75 off the pace set by Marquez.

Rossi was down in 10th spot on Friday while Marquez’s Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, who is second in the standings, was third fastest overall.