The Sepang tests even saw the eight-time champ on track with a wingless RC213 V. If a good beginning makes for a good ending, then might number 93 be in trouble?
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13.02.2023 ( Aggiornata il 13.02.2023 17:34 )
Lap times count for little during testing but if that’s the case, what can we count on?! The MotoGP teams and riders were out in full force at Sepang last weekend but while the Italian contingent – Ducati and Aprilia – shone bright, Honda appears totally in the dark. Who knows what Marc Marquez must be thinking...
Has Honda clipped MM93’s wings?
The Spaniard unfortunately failed to make any great progress in terms of his performance or lap times. His fault, or that of the RC213 V? And who might be able to give us an honest answer anyway? We’d have to put number 93 on a bike other than the Honda to find out.
Considering the performance of the other Honda riders, we already have half an answer, maybe even two thirds… The Japanese bike is struggling and clearly failed to take off in Malaysia, which has us wondering whether the next sessions at Portimao will be any different.
With no cutting-edge aerodynamics package, the eight-time champion has rediscovered the pure riding of a MotoGP and seen just how much times have changed. And speaking of times, if the goal in the Repsol garage was to understand where the lowest point is, do we not think they might have reached it?
2023 MotoGP around the corner, a blind one for Honda and Marc
The Malaysian tests are followed by sessions at Portimao. Great, things are really hotting up now. HRC are well aware, and the days between its next victory and its last are marked on the calendar in the offices in Japan. But we should clarify what we mean by ‘victory’.
No Honda rider was able to win a race last year, with Takaaki Nakagami, Pol Espargarò, Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez left looking up to rivals Ducati, Aprilia, Yamaha, KTM and Suzuki. A far from desirable situation.
If we’re looking for race wins, we have to go back to 2021. Emilia-Romagna in fact, or Valentino Rossi’s home turf. Marquez scored three race wins that season, not bad considering his physical problems at the time. But when did Honda and number 93 secure their last world title? In 2019, a record-breaking season that left an indelible mark. So how long will they have to wait for the next one? The competition is not exactly hanging around to see.
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