Without Marc Marquez, Honda is at a loss. But his comeback is a long time coming. At Honda, therefore, the alarm bells are ringing for 2023.
No more trace of superpower. Without a Marc Marquez in top form, Honda has become a laggard in the premier class in recent years. In 2022, they wanted to get back on track, but instead they plummeted further than ever before in MotoGP. In the manufacturers’ standings, the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer is in last place. Significantly, in the riders’ championship Marc Marquez is still clearly the best HRC rider despite only seven starts in the 13 races of the season so far.
That Honda Marc Marquez, is therefore beyond discussion. This applies not only to this season, but also with regard to 2023, because the eight-time world champion will probably be the only current HRC regular rider who will also sit on the RC213V next year. Alex Marquez moves to Gresini Ducati, Pol Espargaro rides for GasGas and Takaaki Nakagami must probably clear his place for Ai Ogura.
Apart from test and reserve rider Stefan Bradl, only Marc Marquez can therefore set the development direction for 2023. The first very important date for this: the official test rides in Misano on September 6 and 7.
This Thursday, Marc Marquez will again be examined in detail by the doctors treating him in Madrid. If they are satisfied with the healing of the upper arm bone, which was operated on for the fourth time at the beginning of June, he will be given the green light for more intensive training. Whether it will be enough for an early return to the MotoGP bike, however, is questionable. The fourth operation was Marquez’s last chance, of that there is no doubt. A premature comeback could mean the end of his career. Looking forward to seeing the athlete back on track, use the best betting site in Senegal and bet on all motorsports events.
And yet Honda team boss Alberto Puig wants his superstar to return at the Misano test. Puig, whose words are usually marked by a certain harshness, strikes almost pleading tones in the interview with ‘DAZN’: “If he could contest the tests… He doesn’t have to do 100 laps a day, even four laps would be very important for us. If he doesn’t ride in Misano, nothing will change. In the Valencia test we will implement what we were told in Misano. If Marc doesn’t ride there, we’ll continue to work as before – in other words, flying blind.”
So Honda and Marc Marquez are in a massive quandary. If the superstar makes a late comeback, they are likely to affect the 2023 season, while bringing Marquez back too early could have serious consequences for his entire remaining career.