Bikesrepublic

Repsol Honda

Speculation about the future of MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez continues to swirl, with rumors of retirement and a potential team switch causing a stir among fans.

  • KTM is likely to be the relevant destination for the 8-time World Champion. 
  • The Spaniard is rumoured to be unhappy at Honda. 

While details remain scarce, a recent social media post from tennis legend Rafael Nadal has added fuel to the fire and hinted at Marquez’s possible departure from Honda.

Nadal, a close friend of Marquez and a beloved personality in Spain, posted a photo of the two icons together, accompanied by a caption that raised eyebrows. He wrote, “Visits [views] that make you very excited. Thanks @marcmarquez93 for coming to meet the Rafa Nadal Academy By Movistar. We see each other soon and good luck on your new challenges.”

The phrase “new challenges” has sparked speculation about Marquez’s next move within MotoGP or potentially outside the premier class. While Marquez is currently contracted with the Repsol Honda MotoGP team for another year, his future beyond 2023 remains uncertain.

Alberto Puig, Honda’s team boss, has expressed a willingness to respect Marquez’s wishes, stating that he wouldn’t want to keep the rider against his will. Puig understands that an unhappy rider rarely performs at their best, as demonstrated by previous cases like Lorenzo and Rossi at Ducati, and Maverick Vinales at the end of his Yamaha contract. However, Honda is unlikely to release Marquez without significant compensation.

Should Marquez and Honda part ways before his contract expires, KTM emerges as a potential destination. KTM has been performing exceptionally well in MotoGP and is the only team capable of challenging the dominant Ducatis. Nevertheless, KTM would have to pay a hefty sum to secure Marquez’s services, considering the existing contracts of their current riders, Brad Binder and Jack Miller, which extend until the end of 2024.

Perlumbaan pembuka tirai Kejuaraan Dunia MotoGP musim 2023 menyaksikan pelumba Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia cemerlang untuk merekodkan kemenangan pertama musim ini. 

Juara dunia MotoGP musim lalu itu menampilkan aksi konsisten untuk menang pusingan pertama diikuti Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) kedua dan Marco Bezzecchi (VR46) ketiga.

Bagaimanapun, aksi pembukaan kali ini terpalit dengan insiden kontroversi membabitkan lapan kali juara dunia, Marc Marquez.

Pelumba Repsol Honda itu brek terlalu awal di awal perlumbaan lalu hilang kawalan dan merempuh pelumba CryptoData RNF Aprilia, Miguel Oliveira. Kejadian itu menyebabkan kedua-dua pelumba tersingkir awal. 

Susulan daripada kejadian tersebut, Marquez akui akan kesilapannya. 

“Sejujurnya, saya tidak memikirkan tentang GP Argentina. Apa yang penting hari ini adalah saya harap Miguel (Oliveira) tidak apa-apa. 

“Saya melakukan kesilapan besar di Turn 3 dan menyebabkan kejadian hari ini berlaku,” jelasnya. 

Pada masa sama, Marquez akui dia risau akan keadaan Oliveira sejurus selepas perlanggaran itu. 

“Saya berjaya mengelak (Jorge) Marrtin tetapi tidak Miguel. Saya berasa cukup risau kerana rempuhan itu agak kuat,” tambahnya. 

Marquez juga telah ke kem RNF Aprilia bagi memohon maaf kepada Oliveira dan seluruh pasukan. 

Akibat daripada insiden itu, Marquez turut dikenakan ‘double long-lap penalty’ ketika di GP Argentina nanti. 

Dalam perkembangan sama, Marquez juga mengalami kecederaan di bahagian tangan dan kaki sementara Oliveira disahkan hanya mengalami lebam di bahagian kaki kanan. 

Juara dunia enam kali MotoGP, Marc Marquez menafikan dakwaan bahawa dia akan meninggalkan Honda dan menegaskan dia kekal komited dengan pasukan itu. 

Marquez menandatangi kontrak empat tahun sehingga 2024, beberapa bulan sebelum mengalami kecederaan serius di bahagian tangan kanan. 

Meskipun Marquez kembali pulih selepas menjalani pembedahan keempat pada Jun tahun lalu, pasukan Repsol Honda gagal memberi saingan terhadap perebutan kejuaraan dunia. 

Oleh sebab itu, timbul khabar angin bahawa Marquez akan meninggalkan Honda dengan mengaktifkan klausa dalam kontraknya pada 2024.

Bagaimanapun, Marquez menepis dakwaan tersebut dalam satu temu bual bersama MotoGP.com

“Saya ada baki dua tahun lagi dengan Honda dan impian saya adalah untuk kembali ke puncak bersama Honda. 

“Saya mempercayai mereka sepenuhnya, dan kami menghormati antara satu sama lain. Saya percaya kami akan keluar daripada situasi ini,” jelasnya. 

Dalam perkembangan sama, Repsol Honda turut mempersembahkan jentera dan warna yang akan diguna pakai pada musim 2023. Seperti dijangka, warna ikonik Honda dan Repsol dikekalkan pada jentera RC213V itu. 

Bagi musim 2023, Marquez akan beraksi dengan rakan sepasukan baharu, Joan Mir yang berhijrah dari Suzuki.

Six-time MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez will return to racing this weekend, it has been confirmed.

  • Marc Marquez will return to racing at MotorLand Aragon this weekend.
  • Takaaki Nakagami to remain with LCR Honda after agreeing a 12-month deal.

The Spaniard will be back on board the RC213V at this weekend’s MotorLand Aragon for the first time since June following the Italian Grand Prix.

Marquez rode a Honda CBR600RR at the Aragon kart track before completing the full two day testing at the Misano Test last week.

“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,” said Honda in a statement. 

Despite missing 110 days from the world championship, expectations for the rider is still high upon his return this weekend. The 29-year-old has a fantastic record at Aragon, winning every year between 2016 and 2019. The circuit even named Turn 10 after the rider.

Nevertheless, this weekend race is all about getting back to full race fitness as confirmed by his team. 

“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,” said Honda. 

Meanwhile, Takaaki Nakagami will feature at next season’s MotoGP after agreeing a 12-month deal with HRC.

The 30-year-old will remain with LCR Honda IDEMITSU until the end of the 2023 season. 

That said, the confirmation ends all rumours regarding his future at the team. 

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced the signing of 24-year-old Joan Mir ahead of the Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Rivieria di Rimini. 

  • Joan Mir agreed a two-year contract to joined HRC.
  • The Spanish rider will team up with Marc Marquez.

The 2020 MotoGP World Champion will ride alongside six-time MotoGP champion, Marc Marquez on board the Honda RC213V machinery, next year.

According to HRC, the Spaniard has signed a two-year contract thus ending ongoing speculation regarding his future in the premier class.

“Honda Racing Corporation are proud to announce the signing of Joan Mir. 

“The 2020 MotoGP World Champion established himself as a World Champion-level talent from his first full season in Moto3 in 2016. 

“In 2017 the #36 lifted the lightweight class crown aboard a Honda before moving to the intermediate class the following year. 

“Alongside two World Championships, the Spanish rider has claimed 12 Grand Prix wins and 33 podiums,” said HRC in a statement. 

Mir will  joins current teammate, Alex Rins in moving across from Suzuki to Honda at the end of 2022 campaign. 

Marc Marquez hoped that he could return to racing this year after having surgery on his right arm in June.

  • Marc Marquez could make a surprise appearance on the grid this season.
  • The Repsol Honda rider is still the highest-placed Honda rider on the grid.

The six-time MotoGP world champion returns to the paddock for the first time since May and told reporters at the Austrian GP that he is optimistic despite yet to returned to full fitness.

The Spaniard is currently en route to recovery and is increasing his workload. 

“My intention is to make some races this year.

“Next week I will have the answer if it will be possible or not.

“When I feel ready I will come back because it will be important to prepare for 2023,” he said.

Honda surely wants their star rider back on the grid as Marquez remains the highest-placed Honda rider in the championship – at 14th – despite missing six races so far. 

“Then the next two weeks I started to move my arm, with the physio. The last four weeks I started to work a little bit with elastics. Now I start to increase a little bit the weight.

“If I need to wait one more week, I will wait. When I will feel 70 or 80%, when I feel I can ride a MotoGP bike in a more or less good way, I will come back.

“The last part of the rehabilitation, the best way, is to be on the bike. You cannot wait to be 100% before riding the bike,” he added. 

MotoGP returns to action this weekend at the Red Bull Ring. 

 

Honda CBR150R kini tampil dengan edisi Repsol bagi tahun 2022 menyertai pilihan warna sedia ada yang ditawarkan di pasaran.

Livery Repsol ini secara tidak langsung menyerlahkan lagi rupa CBR150R secara menyeluruh terutamanya dengan penggunaan warna terang sama seperti yang terpampang pada jentera RC213V Honda di MotoGP.

Penggunaan warna oren juga diterapkan di bahagian rim, tangki dan di bahagian atas lampu depan.

Bagaimanapun, tiada perubahan lain dilakukan terhadap bahagian spesifikasi dan enjin yang masih lagi digerakan enjin satu silinder 150cc DOCH yang menawarkan 16hp pada 9,000rpm dan 13.7Nm @ 7,000rpm.

Kuasa disalurkan kepada tayar belakang menerusi transmisi 6-kelajuan manakala sistem brek pula dikendalikan ABS dwi-saluran.

Menariknya, BSH mendedahkan bahawa CBR150R edisi Repsol ini hanya terhad kepada 800 unit sahaja dan ditawarkan pada harga RM13,499.

Marc Marquez announces withdrawal from 2022 MotoGP season to undergo fourth surgery on right arm at the Mayo Clinic.

(more…)

Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini claims second win of the season in Texas and reclaims the lead in MotoGP title race. (more…)

MotoGP ace Marc Marquez green-lit to race in Texas this weekend after missing two races due to new episode of double-vision.

(more…)

Repsol Honda mengesahkan bahawa Marc Marquez akan kembali bersaing hujung minggu ini di GP Amerika.

Juara dunia lapan kali itu telah pun terlepas dua pusingan sebelum ini sejak mengalami kecederaan serius sewaktu sesi pemanas badan di Litar Mandalika, Mac lalu.

Marquez turut terlepas saingan GP Argentina apabila disahkan mengalami diplopia (pandangan berganda) kali kedua.

Bagaimanapun, pelumba berusia 29 tahun itu telah pun menyempurnakan rawatan konservatif dan akan kembali membuat penampilan pada pusingan 4 di Austin, Texas, bermula dengan sesi ujian bebas pada Jumaat.

Walaupun mempunyai rekod cemerlang di COTA (Circuit of the Americas), Marquez hanya akan memfokuskan pusingan kali ini untuk kembali membiasakan diri dengan jentera RC213V.

Aksi MotoGP kembali bersambung hujung minggu ini dengan pelumba Aprilia, Aleix Espargaro meneruskan saingan selaku pendahulu kejuaraan setelah memenangi pusingan ketiga di Argentina.

Espargaro kini mendahului dengan 45 mata diikuti Brad Binder (KTM), 38 mata dan Enea Bastianini (Pramac) 36 mata manakala pertahan juara, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) di kedudukan kelima dengan 35 mata.

Injured MotoGP star Marc Marquez is back on a bike for training. Can he return in time for this weekend’s race in Austin, Texas?

(more…)

Archive

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube