Marquez saves Honda: the only manufacturer that hasn’t won in MotoGP in 2022

Who knows what the Honda managers are saying in the offices in Tokyo? We would hope that they are aware of the MotoGP standings in that, although their chances of winning the riders’ or manufacturers’ title vanished months ago, there is still one table on which they can, and should, leave their mark, and that's race wins. As up until now, it’s a resounding zero.

Ducati 12, Yamaha 3, KTM 2, Aprilia and Suzuki one apiece. Honda zero

Every manufacturer has been on the top of the podium at least once, except HRC. Ducati has enjoyed the most success, with a total of 12 wins to date, or rather seven victories with Pecco Bagnaia, four with Enea Bastianini, and one with Jack Miller. Then there’s Yamaha with three, all thanks to Fabio Quartararo. KTM has two, both scored with Miguel Oliveira. And Aprilia and Suzuki have won a race each, with Aleix Espargarò and Alex Rins respectively.

As you can see, nothing at all for Honda. And this becomes even more pronounced when we look at the number of podiums scored between Lusail and Sepang: a third for Pol Espargarò in Qatar, second for Marc Marquez at Phillip Island... and nothing in between. The alarm has been ringing for months, but there is a risk it might burst the eardrums of bosses at the world’s most powerful manufacturer.

Valencia GP, last chance for Honda: over to you MM93

The Ricardo Tormo circuit will stage the final title battle between Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo. The ducatista will go all out to win the arm wrestle against the current Yamaha rider at the season finale, and may the best man win.

At the same time, we will see other riders keen to do well both for their own personal satisfaction and for their employers. A list that starts with Marquez, Marc we mean. The eight-time champion – his 2020 annus horribilis aside – has never finished a MotoGP season without clocking up at least one race win.

Number 93 will do his very best. Whether simply to beat everyone or so as to have the Japanese engineers return home with less of a weight on their shoulders as they return to the office with their managers. Imagine the situation otherwise: “What? Not even one race win in 21 rounds? You’re all sacked!” Or words to that effect, if not worse.

Traslated by Heather Watson

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