Pol Espargaró was of course at today's Honda presentation, in view of an upcoming MotoGP season where we expect the new RC213V around the corner. Because the message from the world's leading manufacturer on this occasion was clear: a new motorcycle is arriving which should give the Ducati a hard time. We will therefore have to make the most of it and, for the youngest Espargaró, time is running out. He will have to very quickly demonstrate that he has nothing to envy of a Fabio Quartararo or a Joan Mir to keep his place alongside a Marc Marquez who has not given up…
Because there was also a lot, question of Marc Marquez whose physical condition gradually returns to a good level. The eight-time World Champion is working to not miss any moment of this year 2022 which must be that of reconquest. Certainly, but won't its demands once again train engineers Honda in a one-way street, leaving the other drivers of the HRC clan on the sidelines? Pol Espargaro answers : " engineers used feedback from all riders to improve the bike. On the old one, Marc was a genius, and he still is because of the way he rode, because the way he rode is simply the best. He's the one who's strong, that's how it is ».
But the new opus is coming… “ The new motorcycle has a different look, It has more grip at the rear. In Misano we all felt better, Honda listened to us all and when they brought us the new bike it immediately seemed better. Over the year we all complained about various issues that didn't allow us to always be fast. We were all happy with the changes, but like I said, it's only the beginning. We need to take her to other circuits to understand how much she has improved and how fast, if it will be like Misano and Jerez. When there is something new, you have to stay calm, because the situation can change very quickly. Having Marc with us during winter testing will be essential to try to have the best possible bike at the start of the season ».
Pol Espargaro: “ I can say that I have high expectations for 2022«
As far as he is concerned, Pol Espargaro is well aware of the issues: “ I can say that I have high expectations for 2022. If things go well during testing, I think I can fight to be in the top five. If we get it at the beginning, during the season it will always be better. I want to start where I was in Valencia before the accident ».
The 2 version of the Moto2013 World Champion ends by still emphasizing this new RC213V, thus confirming its great importance for the entire HRC project in MotoGP: “ the bike is better, but it's too early to understand by how much. We need to get back on track with others to understand where we are, we're not the only ones to put a new bike on the track. We will understand this in Malaysia when there are the first comparisons with rivals. You have to work at it and in the first days we will understand everything, even if we will not be on top right away. ».
He finishes : " I think that if we have the pace to fight in front we will do it straight away, otherwise we will need calm to work, to improve. Ducati is very strong on the straight, if we want to have a good season, we must improve on top speed to be able to fight with them in the race and not be overtaken all the time. Everything will be important, but we have to stay calm and see what happens in the next tests ". Which will take place for the MotoGP in Malaysia February 5 to 6.
