What really makes a race epic? At Repsol Honda, things are clear: lots of overtaking, unexpected situations and a feeling of waiting that keeps you in suspense until you cross the finish line. Here are the team's seven best races in the premier category. (Translation of the Box Repsol article).
part 2 (See the 1 part)
2013 United States Grand Prix
Let's return to the year of Marc Márquez's arrival in the premier category and to Laguna Seca's last year on the calendar. Stefan Bradl started from pole position on his Honda after a very positive weekend. Even though the pole-sitter had managed to keep his first place at the start, two competitors quickly challenged him: Marc Márquez and Valentino Rossi.
The latter remained in second position, but on the fourth lap, in the legendary Corkscrew, Márquez overtook him in a maneuver that until then remained unique in the history of MotoGP. This part of two very tight turns marked by a very steep descent had only seen one overtake at that time and this had in fact been carried out a few years earlier by Rossi, who then saw the roles reversed.
After obtaining second place, Márquez chased Bradl, whom he managed to overtake on the 19th lap. He crossed the finish line with a lead of 2,2 seconds over the German.
2017 Australian Grand Prix
How can we forget a race whose memory is the very synonym of epic? During the overseas tour Starting from pole position, the race was not going to be easy. Five other drivers were quickly added to the leading group but apart from number 93, none were in contention for the title. But everyone wanted to win.
The race was just a succession of overtakes, some of which were very risky, which made the public tremble. In the last lap, everyone tried to get the best place or at best a podium, but it was Márquez who took the top step. The top 4 was held in two seconds.
Dutch Grand Prix 2018
MotoGP never ceases to surprise us! The race at Assen in 2018, considered by many to be the best race of all time, is proof of this. Several ambitious drivers joined the leading group, six of them being able to claim victory. Jorge Lorenzo led the group for almost the entire race while Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Márquez tried behind to position their bikes well and held on to each other, constantly overtaking each other.
As the strength of these gladiators began to weaken, Maverick Viñales and Álex Rins caught up with the group. The Ducatis were suffering from tire wear, the Yamahas and the Suzukis were strong, it remained to be seen how Marquez's Honda would behave. The latter had kept an ace up his sleeve and with a few laps to go, he took the lead of the group to finally win at the end of the craziest race we have seen in recent years.
And you, what is your most epic MotoGP race?
