With this posture from Alberto Puig at the end of the sixteenth meeting of the MotoGP calendar, there is no longer any doubt: Misano was a land of happiness last Sunday. Everyone seemed to have something to rejoice at the end of the competition. Fabio Quartararo was World Champion, Johann Zarco returned to the top 5, and even at Ducati we fell into each other's arms because we had fought until the last cartridge. At Honda we were also making noise. Not only did Marc Marquez bring home a third victory, but there was also a double…
And this double, the colors Repsol hadn't celebrated it since Aragon 2017 while it was necessary to go back to Australia 2019 to remember having seen two Honda on the first two steps of the podium of a Grand Prix. At that time, Marc Marquez was ahead Cal Crutchlow which was under the LCR banner.
But at Misano, this double did not only have the flavor of past greatness. Individually, the team members in the spotlight had reason to be internally jubilant. Thus, it was the first victory for the eight-time champion Marc Marquez on a route where right turns are the majority after 735 days, while his teammate Pol Espargaro took to the podium for the first time under the paintings of his new employer. All in the middle of a corrosive period of doubts. The deliverance was not feigned for all the members of the team, starting with its representative Alberto puig...
« To come away with this result is great. Getting to places 1 and 2 is never easy, even when you're in your best shape, and we're not even in our best shape » comments the team manager. “ But we still managed to achieve this fantastic result. We have made it clear that we will never give up or give in. This result is a great feeling, a great reward for everyone involved in this project »
Alberto Puig: “ that's Honda«
Marc Márquez he himself said that this victory was much more valuable than the successes at Austin or the Sachsenring. Puig supports his fellow Spaniard, who had to undergo multiple operations on his upper right arm. “ It's still a difficult time for Marc, more difficult than for the other drivers. He's still recovering, he's still having problems, he's not quite himself yet. He knows it and we know it. This is why this victory in Misano is even more precious for him. No one but him knows what he really accomplished »
More Marquez didn't just shine. His teammate Pol Espargaro also had a successful run with this runner-up position under the checkered flag. It was his first podium for the new employer since leaving KTM before this season. Alberto Puig also praised the newcomer: “ he had a very difficult season. We know it wasn't easy, but the good thing is that he never gives up. He always tries to find a solution and his team shares this attitude of never giving up. The day was like a gift. With his first podium in these colors, he proved his potential ».
Marquez and I will espargaro want to add more to Portimao. In Portugal, Márquez celebrated his return this season and quickly finished in 7th place. “ We are a winning team and this is also our approach. Our goal is to fight for the title every year. The last two years haven't been easy for us, but you won't find anyone on this team who wants to go to the next race to finish second. We will go to the next race and try to win again, because it's Honda “said Puig. And if Marc Marquez won them all by the end of hostilities?
MotoGP Misano-2 J3: classification
Credit classification motogp.com
