MotoGP News
Date: 24/January/2013
Repsol Honda presented its 2013
MotoGP rider line-up, and revised livery, at a launch ceremony in Madrid on Thursday.
Honda’s official team has retained
the services of last year’s Championship runner-up Dani Pedrosa and signed
exciting rookie Marc Marquez to take Casey Stoner’s place.
27-year-old Pedrosa delivered his
most successful premier-class season last year, winning seven races - more than
any other rider and including six of the last eight races - to finish 18 points
from Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha).
Pedrosa’s 22 MotoGP wins, spread
over seven seasons, make him the most successful rider yet to claim the top
class title. Honda’s MotoGP boss Shuhei Nakamoto feels the Spaniard is still
improving and will have another big chance in 2013.
Nakamoto said: “In the second half
of last season Dani was so strong. He won seven races including in the rain, at
Sepang, which had been a weakness. So Dani is still improving. We believe we
can continue from last year’s results and have a big chance to win the Championship
this year.”
Pedrosa insisted he does not feel
deflated by finishing MotoGP runner-up for a third time.
“I'm starting this pre-season
really keen,” he said. “I can't wait to get to Malaysia and have a few days to
put the bike through its paces, enjoy myself and see which parts we are going
to use for the opening race"
Despite Pedrosa’s position as a
firm title favourite, much outside attention is sure to focus on young
compatriot Marquez.
The 125 and Moto2 Champion’s move
to MotoGP, along with Valentino Rossi’s return to Yamaha, is the main talking
point heading into the new season.
Fast, aggressive and fearless,
Marquez has wowed fans and infuriated rivals in equal measure, but few doubt he
has what it takes to win in MotoGP.
Nakamoto believes Marquez, who will
turn 20-years-old next month, could match the achievement of Lorenzo and
Pedrosa in finishing on the podium in his first race.
Marquez was one-second slower than
Pedrosa after his first day on a MotoGP bike, at Valencia, then quick enough to
qualify eighth in October's Malaysian Grand Prix during a private test at
Sepang.
Nakamoto said: “Everybody knows a
fast rider is fast from the beginning. But Marquez is also a rookie and has to
learn a lot about MotoGP, especially tyre management.
“To make one good lap time is not
difficult for him, but he needs experience to manage the tyre and maintain the
lap time. But I believe he has the possibility to finish on the podium at round
one.”
Marquez, a winner of 26 grands
prix, got a taste of the huge press attention he will receive this year during
the team launch.
Marquez said: “Seeing the bike
painted with the Repsol and HRC logos makes you realise what a dream-come-true
it is. I'm like a kid with new shoes!
“I enjoyed the presentation and I
was able to see that the press attention for MotoGP is light years ahead of
that for Moto2. We'll adapt to this, little-by-little.
“In the end, the important thing
is what happens on the track, so I can't wait for the Malaysia tests to start.”
Pedrosa and Marquez will take to
the track for the first pre-season test at Sepang from February 5-7.
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