The weekend’s tests in Qatar proved positive for the Repsol Honda team, despite the ongoing absence of eight-time champion Marc Marquez. With the Spaniard not yet knowing when he’ll be back on the bike, it was test rider Stefan Bradl and recent hire Pol Espargaró who took to the track, the pair doing so well as to exceed expectation in fact.

A new RC213V?

It should be said that Stefan Bradl has lapped more than any other test rider this winter, Honda even taking part in the Jerez tests alongside the Superbike riders. The reason? Considering Marquez’s absence, the Japanese engineers have clearly decided to follow a new path and test some new elements that, at least as far as the Qatar test was concerned, appear to have benefitted both Bradl and Pol Espargaró.

A positive start for Pol

No one knew how quickly the former KTM rider would adapt to the RC213V, but it clearly hasn’t taken Pol long, the Spaniard rounding out day two in twelfth place, just seven tenths from first-placed Fabio Quartararo. A feat that not even riders of the calibre of Jorge Lorenzo were able to do when debuting with the Honda. The KTM is probably more similar to the Honda, and Pol has a more aggressive style that suits the new bike, but it was still a surprise to see him in action. If we take a look at the timesheets, he was in fact the fastest of the riders who have changed manufacturer this season.

Has Team Honda got its smile back?

It had been a while since we'd seen smiling faces in the HRC garage. We will have to wait and see whether initial impressions are confirmed over the coming days as riders return to the track for the next test sessions, but last weekend’s performance appears to show that the RC213V is now better suited to different riders. A sign that the Honda racing department has done some truly excellent work over the winter. But to what extent has the RC213V really changed in Marc Marquez’s absence? A question that might only be answered once #93 returns to the track. Until then, Pol Espargaró takes the lead and although he’ll need time to adapt, it already looks as if he’s on course for a top ten finish in the first race of the season.

Translated by Heather Watson

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