The catch-22 Honda faces in MotoGP with Marquez sidelined

By:

Lewis Duncan

Jul 27, 2020, 3:29 PM

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

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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.

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Lewis Duncan

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Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.