Ready for the challenge – Repsol Honda Team launches 2021 campaign
Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro are preparing for all new challenges in 2021 with the Repsol Honda Team.
After a season like no other, both on and off the track, the 2021 MotoGP World Championship offers the chance to assert oneself and advance despite adversity. With a difficult 2020 behind them, the Repsol Honda Team is also eager to sit back and show that they are ready for any challenge. Marc Marquez is supported in this challenge by Pol Espargaro, fresh from his best season in the premier class so far. The two grew up together in racing, fighting from local championships in Spain to the premier class and bringing 446 world championship starts, 184 podiums, 109 poles and 97 victories with them.
With the world still working to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, the Repsol Honda Team launched its 2021 challenge with a full online presentation for the first time in Honda’s history. A new style presentation for a year full of new challenges.
2013 Moto2 World Champion Pol Espargaro fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2021 when he wore the colors of the Repsol Honda Team on board the factory Honda RC213V. With over 100 starts in the premier class, the 29-year-old is one of the most experienced riders in MotoGP and arrives in the best shape of his career. Pol is fighting for fifth place in the world championship with five podium places and two pole positions and brings not only experience, but also an undeniable fire for the success of the team.
The 2021 season is a fresh start for Marc Marquez as he will return from his injury at the end of the season in Jerez. The eight-time world champion is solely focused on his recovery from a broken right humerus and has worked diligently to return to his best form and a strong comeback for the 2021 season. The spirit of a champion drives Marquez to be successful in everything he does.
The iconic Repsol Honda Team livery will be another constant in 2021 as Repsol and Honda continue their more than quarter-century partnership. With 180 wins in the premier class, 447 podium places in the premier class and 15 world championships, the combination is without a doubt the most decorated in Grand Prix racing and is determined to return to this level of success.
The Repsol Honda Team is now traveling to Qatar for the MotoGP preseason, where Pol Espargaro gets his first impression of the Honda RC213V. Marc Marquez will not take the Qatar Test as he remains focused on his recovery.
Tetsuhiro Kuwata
HRC Director – General Manager Race Operations Management Division
“We are starting a new season full of anticipation and longing. After a difficult 2020, we keep learning and working to get back to the top of the championship. On the technical side, HRC has worked as hard as ever to further improve the RC213V. With Pol Espargaro we have a new driver this year who has good experience and a desire to win. We are all eagerly awaiting the first test with him. On Marc’s side, we have followed his recovery closely and will continue to do everything we can to help him return as strong as possible.
“Finally, I would like to thank Repsol and all of our sponsors for their continued support. Without them we couldn’t race, they are not just sponsors, but partners in this great challenge. “
Ana Camps
Deputy Director of Sponsorship, Media, Advertising and PR – Repsol
“We are of course looking forward to achieving the results that have always been our trademark, such as the battle for victories, podium places and championships. This is the reason why, after more than 25 years side by side, we carry on with the best partner in MotoGP, Honda. The alliance between our two companies goes beyond a sponsorship agreement and is based on technology: collaboration between Honda’s Saitama factories and the Repsol Tech Lab in Madrid.
“Our Tech Lab scientists apply the most advanced technology to our fuels and lubricants, and we leverage all of the knowledge that the tough competition offers for our Repsol products. We know that Marc is an exceptional driver and a unique person with a great ability to overcome anything, so we have no doubt that he will amaze us again soon. Marc naturally has all of our support to achieve the goals he is pursuing.
“We are also looking forward to the arrival of a new driver, Pol Espargaro. He is a great professional and a mature driver and now he will have the opportunity to demonstrate his incredible talent. “
Marc Marquez
“After a long absence, it was nice to see my bike again and to wear my lederhosen. 2020 was a difficult year for everyone and especially for me with the injury and watching the races from home. But I kept working with the doctors, with my team, and with myself to recover and get back to MotoGP. Of course I would have loved to come back sooner, but it is very important to listen to the doctors and my body until I am fully fit. I can think of the best comeback to be riding my bike again and being the same, but it’s going to be difficult to be like that. But we’ll see if it takes one race, two races, half the season to be the same Marc. I will not take the Qatar test as I only want to return when I am 100% and there is still a lot to do. “
Pol Espargaro
“The run-up to this season was one of the most exciting of my career, it was like waiting for my first season or my MotoGP debut. Riding for the Repsol Honda Team is every rider’s dream and something to be really proud of. Every few weeks I took another step and saw the bike at home that is now wearing the leather. The final step is to drive the RC213V for the first time in Qatar. This excitement motivates me to train more and be the best I can be for the 2021 World Cup. I’m here on the Repsol Honda Team to achieve success and fight at the top, that’s the goal for 2021. “