Autosport Plus

The catch-22 Honda faces in MotoGP with Marquez sidelined

By:

The shortcomings of Honda's RC213V have been masked time and again by Marc Marquez, but in his absence at Jerez they were ruthlessly exposed. Now Honda must decide how much easier it needs to be to ride, without upsetting the winning cocktail

The Andalusian Grand Prix weekend marked a bit of unwanted history for Honda, as it was the first time since 2013, when Marc Marquez stepped up to MotoGP with the marque, that he did not start a race.

His valiant comeback effort just days after surgery on the right arm he broke in a violent highside in the latter stages of last week's Spanish GP, also at Jerez, had to be abandoned after qualifying as a loss of power in his arm forced him to listen to his body, honour his promise to Honda and knock it on the head.

shares
comments

Alex Marquez gets "confidence a rookie needs" from factory Honda MotoGP team

Punishing MotoGP Andalusian GP "toughest race of my life" – Pol Espargaro

More from Lewis Duncan

First races of 2023 Isle of Man TT delayed due to serious road traffic incident

First races of 2023 Isle of Man TT delayed due to serious road traffic incident

Road Road racing
Isle of Man TT

First races of 2023 Isle of Man TT delayed due to serious road traffic incident First races of 2023 Isle of Man TT delayed due to serious road traffic incident

The MotoGP implications of Razgatlioglu’s BMW decision

The MotoGP implications of Razgatlioglu’s BMW decision

MGP MotoGP

The MotoGP implications of Razgatlioglu’s BMW decision The MotoGP implications of Razgatlioglu’s BMW decision

How MotoGP stands at its milestone 1000th grand prix event

How MotoGP stands at its milestone 1000th grand prix event

MGP MotoGP
French GP

How MotoGP stands at its milestone 1000th grand prix event How MotoGP stands at its milestone 1000th grand prix event

Martin feels “unblocked” by first MotoGP win since 2021 in France sprint

Martin feels “unblocked” by first MotoGP win since 2021 in France sprint

MGP MotoGP
French GP

Martin feels “unblocked” by first MotoGP win since 2021 in France sprint Martin feels “unblocked” by first MotoGP win since 2021 in France sprint

Quartararo ‘not confident’ Yamaha understands how to improve its MotoGP bike

Quartararo ‘not confident’ Yamaha understands how to improve its MotoGP bike

MGP MotoGP
French GP

Quartararo ‘not confident’ Yamaha understands how to improve its MotoGP bike Quartararo ‘not confident’ Yamaha understands how to improve its MotoGP bike

Bagnaia penalty fear in France sprint highlights ongoing MotoGP stewarding concern

Bagnaia penalty fear in France sprint highlights ongoing MotoGP stewarding concern

MGP MotoGP
French GP

Bagnaia penalty fear in France sprint highlights ongoing MotoGP stewarding concern Bagnaia penalty fear in France sprint highlights ongoing MotoGP stewarding concern

MotoGP French GP: Martin dominates sprint race, Quartararo crashes out

MotoGP French GP: Martin dominates sprint race, Quartararo crashes out

MGP MotoGP
French GP

MotoGP French GP: Martin dominates sprint race, Quartararo crashes out MotoGP French GP: Martin dominates sprint race, Quartararo crashes out

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Plus
Plus
MGP MotoGP

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Oriol Puigdemont

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Germán Garcia Casanova

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Subscribe