The 2014 champion sits fourth in the riders’ standings, 65 points behind championship leader Valentino Rossi, after his win at the Sachenring last month ended a barren run of six races without victory.

At this stage last year the Spaniard had already achieved nine consecutive race wins, and claimed seven pole positions, as he dominated the season to secure his second title in a row during a record-breaking year.

“The first half of the season has been hard, from the first race I’ve been fast but I didn’t really feel the bike,” Marquez said.

“At one point I thought maybe it is my riding style that has changed.

“But now after Assen and Germany I don’t have this doubt.

“I know that I need to believe in myself and Honda, because we are getting stronger with every step.

“I didn’t have that confidence, but I’ve got that feeling back now, I’m enjoying myself on the bike again.”

Honda has struggled with tyre management throughout the 2015 season and with the rear sliding through fast corners.

The team tried set-up changes in a test at Misano after the Sachsenring race in an effort to make further progress, with both Marquez and team-mate Dani Pedrosa optimistic about the results.

The MotoGP season resumes after its summer break at Indianapolis this weekend.