Pol Espargaro thinks that Honda’s redesigned RC213V is ‘not as difficult to ride’ as last year’s model, and that it will let him to compete for MotoGP podiums on a consistent basis, not just against Marc Marquez.
Pol Espargaro believes his MotoGP triumph in Qatar is a sign of things to come thanks to Honda’s new RC213V machine, which he claims has gone from ‘bottom to top’.
Espargaro’s flexibility to ride the bike the way he chooses, including steering with the rear brake, was one of the secrets to his winter testing and first round performance at Lusail.
In fact, it’s among the few places where Marc Marquez has been unable to match Espargaro’s style for much of the 2021 season.
However, Espargaro thinks Honda has rivals for frequent podiums on more than one front, thanks to significant improvements to the 2022 bike’s aero package, fairing, chassis, and engine, making it one that is not built primarily around the eight-time world champion.
Speaking after his third place in Qatar, Espargaro added: “Well, I’m glad that finally it’s not just Marc fighting for the podium with Honda. This is something great for Honda.
“In general Honda has been working so hard this winter. They have changed the bike from the bottom to the top to try to achieve the group goals which I think is best to keep improving everyone.
“Finally, I’m here! It means the bike is not as hard to ride as last year and we can be fast enough to fight for the podium. This is a place where normally I struggled a lot and also the bike is not the best one here, with long corners, fast ones and the grip is not amazing.
“So I want to see myself with Honda in a place where grip is high and I can use my riding style with the rear brake.
“I think both of us; Marc and myself, we can fight for the podium like the old times, with the same bike, this will be great.”
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Pol Espargaro, Marc Marquez, Honda, MOTO, Moto racing, Motocross, MOTOGP, MXGP
