24 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
24 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
24 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
24 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
09 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team got their 2023 preparations underway in earnest with the traditional post-season Valencia test.
Completing 50 laps, Marc Marquez split his time across a number of RC213V machines to determine the direction HRC’s engineers need to follow over the winter. Assessing a number of parts and components for the RC213V, flying laps were not the main focus as the #93 ended the day with the 13th quickest time, a 1’30.676. Marquez was pleased with the first steps made by HRC engineers and is eager to see what will come in February.
Now a busy winter begins for the engineers back at HRC headquarters in Japan and for the riders at home training and in the gym as every works to be as prepared as possible for the next season. MotoGP action will resume in 2023 with the Sepang Test, February 10 – 12 where the newest and latest machines, parts and upgrades will appear for their assault on the 2023 crown.
Marc Márquez – 13th 1’30.676
“It was an important day today. I tried everything I had to try today and we were really focused to finish what we needed to do for Honda, there was no need to put a new tyre and go for a time attack. I was hoping for a little more but we gathered a lot of information and were able to share a lot of feedback with all the engineers inside the garage. It’s good to see that Honda is working and has been able to bring some more parts here and I am already looking forward to seeing what they bring to Malaysia. Now we will enjoy a very short holiday before we begin preparing for 2023 because I need to stay focused and consistent to be as fit and ready as possible.”
Back to news09 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
06 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
A promising weekend in Valencia saw the Repsol Honda Team walk away unrewarded as both riders fell. Marc Marquez had made a promising start to the race, holding firm inside the leading group and preparing for the final laps. But a fall at Turn 8 a couple of laps later would end the #93’s hopes of finishing the season on a high. Focusing on the positives of the weekend, Marquez demonstrated that he has the speed, rhythm and feeling to be consistently at the front.
The longest season in MotoGP history comes to an end, 20 races spanning the globe and over 150 sessions. It has been another complicated year for HRC and the Repsol Honda Team with just two podium finishes. As one chapter closes another begins and preparations for the 2023 campaign are already underway. Action continues on Tuesday with the post-season Valencia Test.
Marc Márquez, DNF: “Overall, looking at the big picture, I am happy with the weekend because we showed that the level is there, the rhythm is there, the feeling is there. I understand how I need to be fast and I was happy, but today wasn’t the day. Yesterday I said the target was the podium but from the start I didn’t feel right. I saw that the podium was leaving so I went all or nothing. The speed was there and we know what the issue was today in the race. I am going to work hard this winter to be as prepared and as ready as possible but work begins even sooner on Tuesday. I am looking forward to trying Honda’s first step of 2023.”
Back to news06 Nov, 2022
Moto GP
24 Oct, 2022
Moto GP
24 Oct, 2022
Moto GP
16 Oct, 2022
Moto GP
357 days after his last trip to the podium, Marc Marquez became just the fourth rider in history to achieve 100 premier class podiums after a thrilling Phillip Island battle.
The sun was shining down on the Phillip Island Circuit as Marc Marquez lined up in the centre of the front row of the grid for the 27 lap race. With clear track ahead of him, the #93 charged off the line to tuck in just behind polesitter Jorge Martin for the opening half of the race as they avoided the frantic battle behind. As the laps went by, the competition grew closer and it was soon a seven-way battle for the victory – a true Phillip Island classic. It would only be decided in the closing laps, Marquez saving his soft rear for an all-out assault at the end.
Pushing until the line, for the 31st time in his MotoGP career the eight-time World Champion took second place and earned his 100th premier class podium in the process. Marc Marquez narrowly missed out on a return to the top step of the podium 0.186s behind Rins. 357 days after his last podium, achieved at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2021, Marquez has once again taken to the rostrum. After incredible efforts to return to fitness after a fourth surgery on his injured right arm, the podium shows the great progress that Marquez is making in his ongoing recovery.
The eight-timme World Champion becomes just the fourth rider to achieve 100 podium finishes in the premier class, joining Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa in an exclusive club. From 152 MotoGP starts, Marquez has achieved 59 wins and has finished in the top three in 65% of his premier class races. The second-place finish also moves him level with Spanish legend Angel Nieto, the pair sharing 139 podiums across all Grand Prix classes.
Now the Repsol Honda Team head for the penultimate race of the year at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. From the cold and wind of Phillip Island, it looks set to be a classic weekend in Malaysia with scorching temperatures and high humidity. The work continues right until the end.
Marc Márquez, 2º: “It was a great race today; I really enjoyed the battle a lot and the feeling of returning to the podium is fantastic. It has been a long journey and we have reached the next stage. The soft rear was certainly the correct option for us in the race, I felt quite good, and I was able to fight until the end. At the start I was managing the situation a little bit, but I really enjoyed the race, I tried to win! Alex Rins did really well in the last few laps. I left everything out on track today and I really enjoyed all the overtakes, especially at Turn 2 because the bike was working really well there. We are coming better but there is still work to do. It’s great to achieve this milestone of 100 premier class podiums and an honour to draw equal with Nieto but we are not done yet!”
Back to news16 Oct, 2022
Moto GP
02 Oct, 2022
Moto GP
A dramatic day at the Thai GP yielded more points for the Repsol Honda Team as Marc Marquez.
What had looked set to be a straightforward race day in Thailand was interrupted by a torrential downpour during the Moto2 race, leaving the Chang International Circuit soaking wet. Subsequent on and off showers saw the premier class race delayed by almost a full hour as race organizers waited for a clear window of weather.
All eyes were on Marc Marquez when the racing did get underway as he shot off the line, disappearing behind a wall of spray as the field charged into Turn 1. Emerging from the wall of water, Marquez found himself firmly inside the top five and settled in for the long 25-lap race. Steady at the start, the eight-time World Champion picked up the pace as the race went on as he used his incredible riding ability and mixed-weather skills to guide his Honda RC213V around the Thai circuit. In the closing laps, Marquez smelled a potential podium and launched his attack on Francesco Bagnaia but was unable to make a move stick.
Ultimately settling for a fighting fifth place, Marquez moves up two positions in the overall MotoGP World Championship to 13th.
The MotoGP World Championship now enjoy a one-week break before the Australian Grand Prix and the final three races of the year begin.
Marc Márquez, 5º: “I am happy with the race overall; I was again able to do a solid race – avoiding mistakes and staying calm at the start. Wet races are always very long so you need to be careful. Then I was feeling better, and I gained time on the group ahead, but it was impossible to overtake Bagnaia. The acceleration of the Ducati is very strong. We keep on working and trying to improve everything, it has been a good weekend where we were competitive in the wet and the dry. Now we have a week off to recover a bit and keep on training to be strong for the final three races of the year.”
Back to news02 Oct, 2022
Moto GP
25 Sep, 2022
Moto GP
A thrilling return to the points for Marc Marquez as he took an exciting fourth place finish in just his second race back from injury, fourth months after his last complete race.
For the 91st time in his career, Marc Marquez lined up in pole position in what would be his 150th race in the premier class with the Repsol Honda Team. A solid launch saw Marquez defend his place inside the top three in the opening corners as the race erupted behind. Taking a steady approach to conserve his strength until the end of the race, the #93 settled into fifth and his own pace.
His plan played out and as the race entered its closing stages, Marquez reeled in Miguel Oliveira ahead. Biding his time, the eight-time World Champion struck on lap 22 with a strong pass for fourth in the race. The finish marks not only a return to the points for the first time since Mugello for Marquez but also equals his best finish of the year, achieved at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. It was an exciting end to a race enjoyed by Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe and the assembled Honda and HRC board members inside the Repsol Honda Team garage.
Now the paddock once again prepare immediately for the next race, a return to the Thai GP and the final race in this triple-header. The MotoGP World Championship’s last visit in 2019 saw Marc Marquez lift his eighth World Championship title with a thrilling last-lap victory.
Marc Márquez, 4th: “I am very happy with how the whole weekend has gone and we were able to put together an exciting race in the end. Most importantly it was a productive weekend and overall, it was a lot better than we were expecting. It was an important race because it is the first I have finished since my operation so it was a good test of the arm and also in this area we’ve been able to learn. Of course I would have liked to finish higher, but being realistic it was a good result and I was able to maintain my rhythm and then attack in the last laps. I want to say thanks to Honda and the Repsol Honda Team for helping me to put together a good weekend. Also thank you to all the Japanese staff and fans who came this weekend, it was a pleasure to see everyone again. Now we go to Thailand!”
Back to news25 Sep, 2022
Moto GP
19 Sep, 2022
Moto GP
After making a great start, the Repsol Honda Team rider is involved in two incidents during the first lap that force him to retire.
Marc Márquez, who started thirteenth on the grid, made a great start at the Aragon Grand Prix, moving up into sixth on the first corner. Two corners later, a small slide from the rear of his Repsol Honda RCV213V caused Fabio Quartararo to crash into him from behind. The subsequent activation of the holeshot device on Márquez’ bike caused the rear wheel to lock up, and he then collided with Takaaki Nakagami, after which he was forced to withdraw from the race.
After fifteen rounds of the season, Marc Márquez is fifteenth in the MotoGP World Championship with 60 points.
Marc Márquez, DNF: “I got a really good start to the race and found myself fighting for the top five, instincts took over when the lights went out. But then in Turn 3, I lost the rear a little bit so I closed the gas and the problem was then that Fabio was super close to me. This is normal, it’s racing to be close in the first laps and to try a move in the change of direction, we were just unlucky to have this contact with Fabio. Then everything started, in Turn 5 I felt something strange, and I didn’t really know what was going on fully. In Turn 7 Nakagami overtook me and went wide but when I went to engage the rear device, I felt like the rear was locking. Then everything happened at once as the bike was moving to the left with this locking and I found myself touching with Taka. After this I retired. I went to apologies to Taka and his team because his race was ended by the situation we had. My apologies to him and Fabio.”
Back to news19 Sep, 2022
Moto GP
13 Sep, 2022
Moto GP
Having completed a fruitful two-day test in Misano and continued intensive training at home, Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team have set a date for his return: the Aragon Grand Prix.
110 days after he last raced a MotoGP machine at the Italian Grand Prix on May 29, Marc Marquez will return to competition at the Aragon Grand Prix. Since undergoing a successful fourth operation on his right humerus, the eight-time World Champion has followed the strict guidance of his medical team in order to facilitate a full recovery. After numerous check-ups, consultations and tests, all involved are satisfied with the recovery made and the #93 will now take the next step in his rehabilitation – returning to competition.
The objective for the weekend will be to continue improving Marquez’s bike fitness and assessing his performance during the intensity of a Grand Prix weekend and race. Born in Cervera, MotorLand Aragon can truly be considered a home circuit for Marquez and the home fans have always helped buoy his on-track performance.
Back to news13 Sep, 2022
Moto GP
08 Sep, 2022
Moto GP
An encouraging first day for the Repsol Honda Team at the Misano Test as Marc Marquez returned to a MotoGP machine 100 days after his operation.
It was a significant day as Marc Marquez made his return to the Repsol Honda Team for the first time since the Italian GP in late May. Starting just after 09:30 Local Time, the eight-time World Champion completed a brief first run to initially assess his right arm. With all signs being positive, he and the Repsol Honda Team switched into work mode and began their testing programme.
Completing a total of 39 laps before stopping for the day during the lunch break, the #93 ended his first day back on the bike with a best time of 1’32.395 – good enough for 11th on Sunday’s San Marino GP grid. Although lap times were not the focus, Marquez was sstill able to end the day 1.1s behind the fastest rider.
Márquez’s efforts were rewarded with a quickest time of 1’31.642, 0.6s faster than his best time from Tuesday and 13th in the combined test rankings. But the most important aspect of the test was the information gained about his physical condition and the feedback given to HRC’s engineers for the future.
Back to news08 Sep, 2022
Moto GP