Pol Espargarò is starting to get familiar with the Honda RC-V in the MotoGP tests in Qatar. About Marc Marquez, he reveals: “He will be in the first or second GP”
Pol Espargarò amazed everyone in his first experience of the season with Honda. He finished 10th in the combined MotoGP test standings, but that’s not surprising. He has been able to adapt to an RC213V that is never easy for anyone unless your name is Marc Marquez. Certainly, the four days available to test the prototype are a few. He was unable to perform a race simulation or a time attack, the sandstorm disrupted the plans as well as the conditions of the Losail International Circuit. “The Covid emergency brings certain consequences”, commented the Catalan, who on Friday accepted the first dose of the vaccine.
Everything is (almost) ready
In the Repsol Honda garage, there is excitement after the IRTA tests to find out if and when Marc will be back. On Friday he was on the track with a pit bike. His return will also be fundamental for Pol Espargarò’s growth, who will be able to examine his telemetry. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if he raced in Qatar,” said the former KTM. “I don’t know if in the first or second race. Only he knows, he has to listen to his body. We all look forward to his return to him soon “. In the first GP of this MotoGP season, it will probably be his turn to keep the Repsol Honda Team colors high. “Only in the race will I know what level I am at. The pace was similar to that of other leading riders, but the conditions here are very changing “.
In the preseason he did not have the opportunity to test the new aerodynamics. The priority is to become familiar with the most difficult front end of the MotoGP prototypes to tame. But once a good feeling has been established, it can give an extra gear. “It’s not a question of grip or not. There are so many things. Even with two race weekends here, I won’t be able to say that I know this bike. We are far from understanding it. There are more circuits and days “. Yet Alex Rins, Jack Miller, ex-driver Jorge Lorenzo and many others point him as a probable surprise for 2021. “I’m not the one to predict whether I will be a surprise or not. I’ll work to try to be champion, that’s the goal, even if we won’t start with the best preparation “.