Aleix Espargaro recently hinted at the possibility of joining Honda, describing the team as an attractive option. When questioned about the high-profile vacancy at Honda for the 2024 MotoGP season, Espargaro responded, “Honda is always a good option.” This seat became available following Marc Marquez’s decision to join Gresini Ducati.

While riders like Miguel Oliveira and Maverick Vinales have been heavily associated with the role of succeeding Marquez at Honda, Espargaro’s name has now entered the mix. Drawing a parallel between Honda and the football team Barcelona, Espargaro told DAZN, “I always make the same simile, Honda for me is Barcelona, the best [football] team in the world and it is the biggest.”

Acknowledging the challenges Honda currently faces, he added, “They are going through a difficult time, that is undeniable, but Barca is also going through it and all the players want to go.”

Although Espargaro has a contract with Aprilia for 2024, he didn’t dismiss the idea of moving to Honda. He stated, “It depends, everything has to be analysed in this life. Why not? As I said before, everyone would go to Barca.”

Espargaro’s teammate, Vinales, was previously rumored to be Marquez’s replacement. However, Vinales clarified, “What am I going to tell you? They haven’t called me. They haven’t called my agent. Neither.” He emphasized his commitment to Aprilia but also acknowledged Honda’s appeal, saying, “If you ask any rider, Honda is a team that everyone wants to go to. Maybe they are not at their best, but five years ago any rider would go with their eyes closed.”

In conclusion, while the MotoGP paddock is rife with speculation, riders like Espargaro and Vinales are keeping their cards close to their chest. Only time will reveal where they will land in the 2024 season.

O conteúdo Aleix Espargaro Contemplates a Potential Move to Honda aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The unexpected announcement of Marc Marquez’s departure from Repsol Honda has left the MotoGP world in a state of anticipation. With Marquez set to join Gresini Ducati for the 2024 season, the question on everyone’s mind is: Who will replace the six-time MotoGP champion at Honda?

Here are some potential contenders:

1. Iker Lecuona: Currently a WorldSBK rider, Lecuona has been a stand-in rider for Honda on multiple occasions this season. Given his growing experience with the RC213V and his MotoGP background, he is a favorite to join the team, possibly moving to LCR Honda.
2. Jake Dixon: A rising star in Moto2, Dixon has shown significant progress in 2023. With Marquez’s seat at Gresini taken, Dixon might find a place in the premier class with LCR Honda.
3. Celestino Vietti: Another Moto2 contender, Vietti had a strong start in 2022 but faced challenges later on. Recent performances, however, have reignited interest in him, making him a potential candidate for LCR Honda.
4. Maverick Vinales: A big name in the MotoGP circuit, Vinales is reportedly in talks with Honda. However, given his satisfaction at Aprilia, this move might be a long shot.
5. Miguel Oliveira: Known for his adaptability and consistency, Oliveira has been approached by Honda. His ability to win races in varied conditions makes him a valuable asset.
6. Fabio Di Giannantonio: Set to be replaced by Marquez at Gresini, Di Giannantonio is on the lookout for a new team. His recent performances might make him an attractive option for Honda.
7. Johann Zarco: The french rider has just sign with LCR, but it could be easily the choice for the replace of Marc Márquez on Honda HRC, with a simple promotion leaving a blank spot for a young rider to LCR Honda

It’s clear that Honda is exploring all avenues to find a worthy successor to Marquez. With a mix of experienced riders and young talent on their radar, the 2024 MotoGP season promises to be an exciting one.

O conteúdo The 7 riders who could replace Marc Márquez at Honda aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The motorcycle racing world was abuzz with the potential “exchange of the century”: Marc Marquez for Gigi Dall’Igna, or vice versa. The idea was to swap the most accomplished active rider for the most skilled engineer in the paddock. However, the dynamics of MotoGP don’t exactly work that way. As a result, Ducati retained its chief engineer and also acquired the Spanish champion.

As rumors had been suggesting, Honda tried to lure Gigi Dall’Igna. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Dall’Igna confirmed these speculations. He explained his decision to decline Honda’s offer, stating, “I am comfortable at Ducati. I’ve worked hard to get Ducati to a position where it’s considered a model. Leaving now might not have been logical. While I’ve achieved what I set out to do here, Honda presents an equally interesting and significant challenge.”

The challenge would have been immense, especially working with the Japanese, who have a very different mindset from the West. It remains a mystery whether Dall’Igna would have been able to influence that mindset.

Honda’s move to approach a European engineer is unprecedented. Historically, they’ve always preferred to keep things in-house, relying on their Japanese engineers. This shift can be interpreted in two ways. On one hand, it might indicate a sign of weakness, acknowledging that recent MotoGP innovations, like aerodynamics and lowering devices, which originated in Europe, have left them trailing. On the other hand, it could show Honda’s willingness to evolve, recognizing their shortcomings and being open to external influences.

Dall’Igna is curious to see Marquez’s performance on the Desmosedici. While he has no doubts about Marquez’s competitiveness, he’s keen to see how his presence might disrupt the internal dynamics of the team. “This is a concern, one of the challenges to face,” Dall’Igna mentioned. “We’ll need to skillfully manage strong riders with strong personalities. Beyond Marc, we already have a significant concentration of champions. Another one is coming, perhaps more prominent, but it’s a job we know how to do.”

O conteúdo Honda has tried to make the “exchange of the century”: Marc Marquez for Gigi Dall’Igna aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The separation of Marc Márquez from Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) marks the end of an era in MotoGP. Their collaboration was one of the most successful partnerships in the history of the sport. As they part ways, both Márquez and Honda face new challenges and opportunities. Here’s a speculative look at what the future might hold for both:

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC):

1. New Rider Line-up: With Márquez’s departure, Honda will need to fill a significant void. They might look at young talents or experienced riders to lead the team. Riders like Maverick Viñales, Miguel Oliveira, Fabio Quartararo, or even Jack Miller could be potential candidates, depending on their contract situations with their current teams, and the amount of money involve.
2. Development Focus: Honda has faced challenges with the RC213V in recent years, especially in terms of rider-friendliness. Without Márquez’s feedback, they might take a different direction in bike development, focusing on creating a more balanced machine that suits a broader range of riding styles.
3. Team Dynamics: The Repsol Honda Team dynamics will change. Márquez’s influence was significant, and his departure might lead to a shift in team strategy and focus.
4. Or is this the beginning of a departure by another Japanese Brand of the MotoGP

Marc Márquez:

1. New Team, New Challenges: Whichever team Márquez joins, he will face the challenge of adapting to a new bike and team environment. His riding style is unique, and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to a different machine.
2. Physical Fitness: Márquez’s recent injuries have raised concerns about his long-term physical condition. He will need to ensure he remains fit and avoids further injuries to continue competing at the highest level.
3. Legacy Building: Márquez has already achieved so much in MotoGP. However, succeeding with another team would further cement his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Riders like Valentino Rossi have raced for multiple manufacturers, and Márquez might aim to do the same.
4. Potential Teams: Speculation is rife about Márquez’s next move. Ducati (Gresini) and KTM are often mentioned as potential destinations. Both teams have competitive bikes and would benefit from Márquez’s experience and talent.

In conclusion, the MotoGP paddock will keenly watch the developments surrounding Márquez and Honda. Their split offers a fresh narrative for the sport, with new team-rider combinations and rivalries set to emerge. The 2024 season promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory.

O conteúdo What now Honda ? And Marc Márquez ? What those the future reserve for both ? aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Marc Márquez’s journey with Honda in the MotoGP World Championship is a tale of unparalleled success, records, and a partnership that dominated the sport for nearly a decade. Here’s a look at the history of Marc Márquez at Honda:

1. Early Years and Debut (2013):

• Marc Márquez joined the Repsol Honda Team in 2013, making his debut in the premier class of MotoGP.
• In his rookie year, he showcased his prodigious talent by winning the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas. With this victory, he became the youngest rider to win a premier class race.
• By the end of the 2013 season, Márquez clinched the MotoGP World Championship title, becoming the youngest ever premier class World Champion.

2. Record-Breaking Streak (2014):

• Márquez carried his momentum into 2014, winning the first 10 consecutive races of the season, a feat that solidified his status as a MotoGP legend.
• He successfully defended his title, securing his second consecutive World Championship.

3. Continued Dominance (2016-2019):

• After a challenging 2015 season, Márquez bounced back to win the World Championship in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
• Throughout these years, he showcased his exceptional skills, breaking numerous records, and establishing himself as one of the all-time greats of the sport.

4. Challenges and Injuries (2020-2021):

• The 2020 season proved to be a challenging year for Márquez. He suffered a severe arm injury during the opening round in Jerez, which led to multiple surgeries and forced him to miss the entire season.
• Márquez made his return to MotoGP in 2021 after a long recovery period. Although he faced challenges in regaining his top form, he managed to secure a few notable results, including a victory at the German Grand Prix.

5. End of an Era (2023):

• Despite having a year left on their contract, Márquez and Honda Racing Corporation mutually decided to end their partnership at the conclusion of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season.

Achievements with Honda:

• During his time with Honda, Márquez secured six premier class World Championships.
• He achieved five Triple Crowns, 59 race wins, 101 podium finishes, and 64 pole positions.

Marc Márquez’s partnership with Honda will be remembered as one of the most successful collaborations in MotoGP history. Their combined efforts resulted in numerous records, championships, and moments that will forever be etched in the annals of the sport.

O conteúdo Marc Márquez and Honda: A Legacy of Dominance in MotoGP aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Miguel Oliveira, who left KTM at the end of 2022, embarked on a new journey with Aprilia in 2023. However, there’s speculation that he might be considering another team switch in 2024. Repsol Honda reportedly sees the Portuguese rider as a potential replacement for Marc Márquez, who is widely believed to be departing from the Japanese giant.

This news has been highlighted by international media, especially as rumors about Marc Márquez’s future continue to swirl. The speculation has intensified after Gigi Dall’Igna recently mentioned that Márquez has likely made up his mind to leave Honda and embrace a new venture with Ducati.

Oliveira is said to be on a shortlist of riders being considered by Honda. This list also includes Pedro Acosta, who is set to make his MotoGP debut with the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3. Acosta is expected to replace Augusto Fernández, with recent reports suggesting that the team led by Hervé Poncharal will feature Pol Espargaró and Pedro Acosta.

According to SPEEDWEEK.com, Honda is currently “reaching out to all MotoGP riders,” even appearing somewhat “desperate.” They are particularly interested in riders associated with Aprilia, as DAZN reports that the manufacturer has also approached Maverick Viñales.

Johann Zarco has already been confirmed as a rider for LCR Honda. It seems highly unlikely that Iker Lecuona will replace Márquez, even though he has a contract with the factory Honda team. Lecuona currently races in the World Superbikes championship and has occasionally stepped in as a replacement rider in MotoGP.

It’s worth noting that Oliveira was previously rumored to join LCR Honda at the end of 2022. His ability to develop bikes is widely recognized. However, Oliveira has a direct contract with Aprilia that lasts until the end of 2024.

O conteúdo Miguel Oliveira on Honda’s Shortlist for 2024 aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.