Alberto Puig set the mood in the presentation of the Honda Repsol team, which is the official structure of the world's leading manufacturer in MotoGP. But it's been two consecutive seasons, the last ones experienced, that these prestigious colors have only been at the top of one ranking: that of the richest in the paddock. Which, compared to the results collected, does not give a good impression of excellent value for money. This lean period arrived when Marc Marquez was injured, after a violent fall while he was recovering from the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez in 2020. An episode which, according to Alberto Puig, did not only changed the destiny of Honda. It also completely changed the course of history in MotoGP. Because the Spanish boss is convinced: if this accident had not taken place, Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo would never have won the slightest crown in the category.
Alberto puig don't just replay the match. He also rewrites history when, in the middle of the presentation of the troops Repsol Honda in view of the 2022 season which is fast approaching, he said about Marc Marquez : " I think his career at Honda was very successful and was never interrupted or let's say " jelly " than the last two years because of his injury. I have to say, and I know I'm saying this because I work at Honda, but I definitely believe that if he hadn't had that shoulder problem, he would also have won in the last two years, clearly. This is my opinion, and I could be wrong, but it's my opinion ».
We certainly cannot blame Alberto Puig to fully assume his frankness. But from this experience, lived under his governance, he also learned: “ Marc suffered a lot and probably this year he won't be 100%, but we have changed a lot of things in the way we approach his fitness and I am quite sure he will make a great improvement. I'm very optimistic because despite how he raced last year, with the shoulder situation, he won three races. So I expect big things from him this year ».
Alberto Puig does not forget Pol Espargaró: “ he's not a little boy«
The requirement therefore remains the credo ofAlberto puig and if he says that Marc Marquez, imagine a little how he approaches the other side of the box where he is standing Pol Espargaro : " we hope he will race to win, that he will be there for the first places. That's why we hired him. He's fast, he's experienced, he's not a little guy. Swe work therefore consists of running to be in the first positions ».
And if not, will we show him the exit door? Besides, is he already on this path? Alberto puig closes when faced with this question: “ we are super focused on Pol and he is our driver for this year and we are going to support him 100% to get the best results possible. All these rumors, they don't matter ". He even closes the debates thus: “ it's important that Pol has Marc and that Marc also has Pol. The last two years, you can imagine, have been really difficult, especially for Marc Marquez. But also for us as a team we try to stay calm. TAll people, especially the Japanese, took great care of him and today we are back with him ". This weekend, there will be tests in Indonesia, to grind down the unknown track of the MotoGP de Mandalika.
