Honda ready to give its 2014 MotoGP bike an early debut if requested
Honda is prepared to give its 2014 MotoGP bike an early debut if Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa request it after testing the new machine next week
The Japanese team has brought its 2014 RC213V to this week's test at Aragon. Poor weather prevented it from running in earnest on Tuesday, but a further attempt will be made on Wednesday.
Last year Honda introduced its 2013 bike early, allowed Pedrosa to put eventual champion Jorge Lorenzo under great pressure in the closing part of the season.
Technical director Takeo Yokoyama said Honda was poised to do the same again.
"It is a complete new bike, both in terms of engine and chassis," he said. "Our plan is to test it now in order to be able to do, eventually, some changes before the post-race test in Valencia in November.
"Anyway, if Dani and Marc find something in the bike that they feel is a really big improvement compared to their actual RC213V, HRC will do its best to provide it already later this season as we already did last year."
Pedrosa currently leads the world championship by seven points over Lorenzo, but the Yamaha rider has won the last two races at Mugello and Barcelona.
LCR rider Stefan Bradl did some exploratory laps on the 2014 bike in the wet on Tuesday.
Gresini Honda's Alvaro Bautista was also present and on track.
Yamaha and Suzuki will now join Honda for the second day of running.
Related photos (click to enlarge)
Previous article
Suzuki says 2015 MotoGP return will help it challenge Honda, Yamaha
Next article
MotoGP testing: Jorge Lorenzo's Yamaha quickest at Aragon
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Teams | AB Motoracing |
| Author | Matt Beer |
Marc Marquez is back
MotoGP Starting Grid: Portugal Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
Marc Márquez's first ride after his injury
Marc Marquez continues his recovery
The impossible problem Honda faces with its 2021 MotoGP bike
Honda hasn’t enjoyed an easy start to the 2021 MotoGP campaign, despite gains last season which looked to have carried over into the pre-season. Now admitting it does have issues in serious need of resolving, it faces an almost impossible task in doing so
How Jerez underlined MotoGP's speed problem
The brutal nature of a series of crashes at Jerez has reopened the debate about whether current MotoGP speeds are beyond the safety limits of the tracks. But even if riders are supportive of the move, getting the manufacturers to find a consensus on how speed reductions should be achieved may be altogether harder
How a Crutchlow helped Miller to Jerez MotoGP redemption
Jack Miller’s tough start to life as a factory Ducati MotoGP rider left him mentally battered and bruised, but a pep talk and positive reinforcement from a surprising source aided the Australian to show his full potential with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
How Yamaha’s rookie-spec MotoGP star is taking charge
Fabio Quartararo is on a roll in 2021, having stormed to victory at a venue where he last year served up one of his worst races. Contrasting Portuguese GPs for Yamaha’s factory duo make it hard to understand just how good its 2021 MotoGP bike is, but the Portimao weekend has revealed one key improvement compared to 2020
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come
Where does Honda's new MotoGP signing sit ahead of its king's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
