This return to MotoGP with the two tests at Sepang and, above all, at Qatar did not completely reassure the HRC side. Certainly, the three top Honda drivers, Marquez, Lorenzo and Crutchlow are not in top form for reasons we know. But if that were all there was to it, we wouldn't worry about the entire winged coat of arms season. Because lackluster performance in the face of tougher competition risks weighing down the results of the RC213V well beyond the convalescence time of its champions...
Like always, Marc Márquez went into battle, even with a shoulder missing, so that Honda could keep its place at the forefront. In Qatar, he paid the price with two falls in two days. For a World Champion who had made a resolution to fall less this year, things are off to a bad start. During this time, Jorge Lorenzo, with a weak wrist, is making its mark. So that a priori, the most objective opinion comes down to a Cal Crutchlow at the ankle undergoing consolidation. And the Englishman sounds the alarm, covering the version of Marc Márquez which emphasizes the progress made.
After a disastrous start to testing in Qatar, Honda made progress on the second day. In the standings, the Honda riders have made a leap forward, but the situation in the Honda camp is not relaxed.
The pilot of the LCR, Crutchlow, was unable to provide insight into his 2019 Honda at the start of testing. This is why he temporarily switched to his teammate's machine Takaaki Nakagami, who currently rides the motorcycle of Crutchlow of the previous year. “ The first day was not good at all, we had a bad start and didn't find the right agreement, I didn't feel comfortable "Comments Crutchlow.
« Most of the Honda riders struggled, the second day was a little better, maybe not with me, but the factory riders improved their package », Analyzes the Briton. Marc Marquez confirms: “ we have made a lot of progress in the setup of the machine, in the feel of the bike, our lap times are now much closer to those of the top riders, but we are still not the fastest and need to understand where we are ».
« Qatar is not our favorite circuit, but we are getting closer and that is the most important thing ». Márquez wants to bring serenity. The team director, Alberto puig, was tense during testing and admitted that Honda was more than late in deciding which version of the engine would be used in 2019. The Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki factories were much further along in decisions for the new season.
For the engine, Crutchlow reassures: “ engine performance is very good. They did a good job. There is no doubt about it. We wanted to make improvements to the engine, but at the moment I don't have the feeling on the front of the bike, and nothing we do seems to change that. ».
He insists : " we didn't have any big problems in Malaysia, but I already didn't feel good with the front wheel, and it's even worse in Losail. As the times show, we struggled with the 2019 machine to get good times ».
« At the moment we are not even able to think about the race,” loose Crutchlow. “We are way behind on some things, Malaysia is a special track for testing, the grip is very good, it hid our problems and in Qatar they are much bigger ».
In Malaysia, pilot health hampered the test. Furthermore, within the Honda fold, only two riders can make meaningful comparisons between the 2018 and 2019 machines. The problem is that Jorge Lorenzo doesn't know the bike from last year, he hasn't ridden that machine, so he thinks differently to Marc and me. And Nakagami drives a different version, so he doesn't help me ", confirms Crutchlow on motorsport total.
Marc Márquez finished : " we have to keep working, I think Honda will provide us with the best possible package so we can be competitive in Qatar, but that will continue to evolve throughout the season ».
