Let’s talk MotoGP: Here’s who Honda Repsol should bet on – 2/2

Since yesterday, “Let’s talk MotoGP” looks at the Honda Repsol case, and attempts to draw up a list of probable candidates for this too little coveted handlebar. In fact, reading the first part is strongly recommended; you can find it by clicking here.

We parted on Fabio Di Giannantonio, Gresini Racing driver. Having ruled on what could give him the edge in the signing race, let's review what could hold him back.

 

Fabio Di Giannantonio at Honda Repsol, too short in MotoGP

 

The lessers :

• He only has two good results in MotoGP, namely two of the last three races. It looks skinny, very skinny. We must not forget that in two years, Fabio DiGiannantonio has proven very little with a machine capable of winning, or at least, regularly finishing on the box.
• We come back to the importance of the task. At the end of 2022, he spoke of his psychological difficulties linked to environmental pressure. After his fourth place in Indonesia, he repeated with similar comments. Is he a customer ready enough to take on the most restrictive handlebars in MotoGP? The one that causes the most pressure? The one who broke experienced drivers like Joan Mir, Jorge Lorenzo or Stefan Bradl? The same one who made the great Marc Márquez doubt this season at the Sachsenring? I doubt. Bradl, sometimes a wild card, sometimes a test pilot, spoke extensively about the mental challenge involved in piloting the RC213V.

 

 

Add to that the fact that he is Italian (the last non-Spanish starter at Honda Repsol came from Australia and wore number 27), and that doesn't make a very good candidate for this singular handlebar.

 

Miguel Oliveira, the most coherent choice?

 

Same thing as for Di Gia'; we have already widely discussed the career and ceiling of the Portuguese. Find out more in a dedicated article by clicking here.

 

 

Most :

• In my opinion, he is one of the best intrinsic talents on the grid. Miguel Oliveira, on a good day and on an average machine, is capable of beating the best riders in the world. And he has already proven it on multiple occasions.
• In this list, he is the one who is the most cerebral, calm, thoughtful. His mental strength is nothing short of impressive, ever since his Moto3 title battle with Danny Kent in 2015. We must not forget that it is also with him that the KTM RC16 became such a good machine. On the track, he demonstrated that he drove intelligently, with his brain; a great quality to take on a job that is as tortuous as it is restrictive.

 

 

The lessers :

• Honestly, I only see one; consistency in performance. Miguel Oliveira is a rider capable of exploits, who has the potential to embody Honda's revival in MotoGP. But it is true that he is struggling to maintain a very good level in the medium term, as is the case during this overseas tour. But after all, Honda already has this more conservative driver in Joan Mir, if and only if he is able to regain his 2020 level.

For this reason, I think Miguel Oliveira is best suited to take on the Honda challenge. He has the experience, the speed and the ability to achieve a feat to relaunch a positive dynamic within the team. In addition, his cerebral side protects him from the mental challenge that the RC213V represents.

And you, who would you bet on? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Photo: Michelin Motorsport