Repsol Honda Team towards the 2021 MotoGP challenge. A great emotion for Espargaró, while Márquez is patient: “We don’t know when I’ll be ready.”
A great challenge awaits the Repsol Honda Team in the 2021 MotoGP World Championship. The pair of riders has been renewed with Pol Espargaró alongside the multiple champion Marc Márquez. After the serious injury accused in 2020 we don’t know when he’ll be back. The livery of the RC213V doesn’t change, it is essentially the same as in recent years.
“It’s not an easy time for anyone,” Tetsuhiro Kuwata stressed. “Many things have happened, especially Marc’s injury. We look forward to 2021, we have worked hard for this and we hope to get back to fighting at the top. Freezing the engines is a big challenge, but we focused on developing other areas, including the chassis. We try to improve our weak points. Pol is quick, he can fight with Marc for the championship: this is the target for the next two years. Unfortunately, we had to deal with Marc’s injury last year and it took a long time. This year it will come back stronger than before, the goals are always the same. “
“We learn every day, not just in 2020” added Alberto Puig. “Things happen, these are complicated facts not only for us but for the whole MotoGP, with the pandemic that has changed our lives. For the Repsol Honda Team, last year we immediately lost the top rider. A problem, which must become an opportunity, a lesson for the future. Pol is an experienced rider, we hope that he will understand the bike soon and that there will be a good battle within the team as well. Every rider goes through a big injury. It wasn’t that bad, but certainly, it is taking a long time. The only thing I know is that he will find a way to be the same as always, the team will help him but it depends a lot on him, on what he expects from himself. “
Pol Espargaró is the new arrival of the team. Not a rookie in the MotoGP class, but it is undoubtedly a good transition in his career. “The important thing is to keep calm and try to have everything under control. A rather tricky thing, however, but I try to do it as much as possible to be focused on my work. I am very excited, I have thought about this occasion many times and now I wear these colors, morale is high. Targets? I’m not sure what to expect: last season was difficult due to Covid, the bike is new, there will be a few days of testing. But I’m ready to try to make my dreams come true. “
Marc Márquez does not offer certainty about his return, nor does he expect to be immediately competitive as always. “Recovery is progressing step by step, we are following my body, working harder and harder. Neither the doctors nor I know when I will be ready. I miss the team, I miss the races, the adrenaline, even the interviews, a bit of everything. It is the first time that I pass through such an important injury: I imagine the best return, but it will be difficult to be at that level right away, it will take time to be that Marc. 2021 goals? Go back to having fun in the saddle, then step by step go back to being fast. “