During the presentation of the Honda troops in Madrid, at the headquarters of the title investor for 25 years, Repsol, we often heard that we had there, the “dream team”… Between Doohan and Criville were in fact Marquez et Lorenzo bringing together twelve world crowns between them. Certainly. But in what state ! This dream team is currently made up of a driver with a recovering shoulder and another with a recently operated left scaphoid. On his cripples, the dark team manager Alberto Puig commented…
Un Marquez not in top form, a Lorenzo who starts the year with a package for the first tests… Alberto puig did not quite have anything to rejoice in making his return to the occasion of the presentation of the official Honda troops. And again, we are not talking about a Cal Crutchlow who is still struggling with his reconstructed ankle after his terrible crash during practice for the Australian Grand Prix…
HRC therefore remains with Nakagami valid and a Bradl to move from shadow to light. On speedweek, Puig comments: “ when things go wrong, we react. That's why, after Jorge's injury, we asked Stefan if he could join the team at Sepang ». And the Spaniard confirms that the German, who is currently racing an RC213V with the Superbikes in Jerez, will not only be in Malaysia for the test gallop in Malaysia on 1er to February 3, but also for the major tests from the 6th to the 8th following.
« We have two pilots injured, it's not the best situation » recognizes the former mentor of Pedrosa. " But I'd rather have this problem now than in the middle of the season... We have to accept the situation. The priority for us is that Marc and Jorge are back in force for the first Grand Prix in Qatar on March 10. In Sepang we will use the best team possible. And since Jorge can't ride after scaphoid surgery, we'll use Stefan Bradl ».
He finishes : " we need to gather as much information as possible about the new motorcycle. We have started a certain development process. We will continue on this path. This is why Stefan is going to test at Sepang for Honda ».
