Honda is having a tough time recently, not helped by the fact that Marc Marquez, the only rider able to be competitive with the RC213V over the last eleven years, has been plagued with physical problems. This, combined with factors such as the new aerodynamics, has slowed development, with the manufacturer struggling more than it should on track. But how is it that only Marquez has been able to make the different with this bike? Five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who also rode the Honda in the past, tries to explain why.

"Marquez has a very specific riding style"

There could be a number of reasons, as Lorenzo tells Spanish website As.com: “It would be easy to say that it’s because they don’t have Dani Pedrosa as test rider. In truth, I think it’s a combination of factors. These include the fact that Marc Marquez has a very specific riding style, very different to that of the average rider.”

Marquez has always had unique characteristics and Lorenzo highlights this: “His braking is brutal, his riding extreme. This means that, with Marquez steering development, the bike that is created suits him, but won't suit another rider with a more standard riding style”.

The situation Honda is currently experiencing comes down to two main factors in Lorenzo’s opinion: “Marquez’s injury meant that Honda has had no leader over the last three years. Added to this has been Ducati’s ascent with Gigi Dall'Igna. The Ducati is simply superior right now”. The Tokyo manufacturer is now playing catch up and, thanks also to the concessions granted by Dorna, hopes to be back at the sharp end in 2024, despite the fact it can no longer count on the eight-time champion.