Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

Why Espargaro faces Marquez with no fear at Honda

Pol Espargaro will face the toughest challenge of his racing career pairing up with six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez at Honda in 2021 - should Marquez be fit. But his toil during his four-year KTM stint has readied him for the fight

The 2021 rider market was always poised to be one of the most unpredictable with most contracts up for grabs at the end of the 2020 campaign. But there were few who had money on Pol Espargaro departing KTM to join Honda alongside Marc Marquez, whom HRC renewed for an unprecedented four years early in 2020.

When the dust had settled after the news, first revealed by Autosport, had broken, it didn't take long for reason and logic to take hold. The Honda is a difficult bike, requiring an aggressive riding style to extract the best from. In that respect, it wasn't that far removed from the KTM - though of course, when racing finally got underway the RC16 emerged as a much friendlier bike from previous years.

Previous article Rossi would have stopped racing without Yamaha MotoGP return
Next article Marquez has third surgery, faces potential six-month recovery period

More from Lewis Duncan

Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium”

Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium”

MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium” Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium”
Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide

Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide

MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide
Marini urges patience at Honda as new MotoGP season approaches

Marini urges patience at Honda as new MotoGP season approaches

MGP MotoGP
Qatar Official Testing
Marini urges patience at Honda as new MotoGP season approaches Marini urges patience at Honda as new MotoGP season approaches
Marquez now 'looking for final three tenths' on Ducati MotoGP bike

Marquez now 'looking for final three tenths' on Ducati MotoGP bike

MGP MotoGP
Qatar Official Testing
Marquez now 'looking for final three tenths' on Ducati MotoGP bike Marquez now 'looking for final three tenths' on Ducati MotoGP bike
Isle of Man TT organisers introduce important competitor safety initiative

Isle of Man TT organisers introduce important competitor safety initiative

Road Road racing
Isle of Man TT organisers introduce important competitor safety initiative Isle of Man TT organisers introduce important competitor safety initiative
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Marquez outpaces Martin in FP2

MotoGP Malaysian GP: Marquez outpaces Martin in FP2

MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Marquez outpaces Martin in FP2 MotoGP Malaysian GP: Marquez outpaces Martin in FP2
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Martin edges Marquez in first practice

MotoGP Malaysian GP: Martin edges Marquez in first practice

MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Martin edges Marquez in first practice MotoGP Malaysian GP: Martin edges Marquez in first practice
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?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe