We will end up wondering what deity could have offended Honda to experience such a black streak. In Grand Prix, the drivers are exhausted by an RC213V which refuses to be tamed or even deciphered by its designers. Spearhead Marc Marquez is on the side and his brother Alex, tired of the winged emblem, is leaving for a Ducati. Pol Espargaró can't take it anymore and is waiting for his return ticket to KTM. Only Nakagami still wants to hold on, because he has no other alternative. But the brand cannot really console itself with its second CBR triple R project in WSBK. Because there too the curse strikes by attacking its two drivers Iker Lecuona and Xavi Virgo…
With all the enthusiasm of their youth and the motivation of a career to relaunch, Iker lecuona et Xavi Virgo spare no effort to show Honda that the CBR triple R project in WSBK is worth it. But it also has a cost. Thus, on the eve of the deadline for Donington, the Spanish duo is physically diminished. Xavi Verge, did not have time to rejoice in his fourth place in Misano since he then fell there, breaking six bones in his right hand, two of which were operated on on June 16.
The Spaniard then logically missed the tests at Donington Park, Misano and Suzuka. But he will be tackling the English track this weekend, although in a fragile state: “ I feel better than expected after the injury », convinces the one who comes from Moto2 and who is a rookie this season in WSBK. “ The operation went well, I was quickly able to resume training and I worked a lot with my physiotherapist. My luck is that we have the break between Misano and Donington so I was able to recover ».
He adds : " too bad I couldn't take part in the last tests, I have to learn the circuit in addition to my usual duties. At least during the Misano test I was able to sit down with my technician and analyze the data from the Donington test. I won't know exactly where I am until I'm back on the bike. On paper it looks like Donington is a really nice track, it might suit my style. I hope I will be in good shape and can enjoy it from the first test session ". In the meantime, he is one of four drivers previously declared unfit, who will return to Donington Park for the DOC Prosecco Round of Great Britain. Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) will also be there except that the last-mentioned Frenchman will be re-evaluated after FP1.
Right hand for Virgo, right arm for Lecuona, we also suffer in WSBK at Honda
The neighbor of the HRC box Iker Lecuona, also a rookie and arrived from MotoGP, is not a priori injured, but he is not in great shape either… He announces in fact: “ we first tested one day at Donington Park, then two days at Misano, then we went to Suzuka, where we practiced for the eight-hour race ". The fifth of the World Championship also specifies: “ I've never been to Donington before so being able to learn the track in advance is very positive. This means we can now immediately focus on setting up the bike. I used some of the British drivers as a reference, they helped me quickly learn the best lines through the blind corners of the first sector ».
Then he blurted out: “ I like the track, even if it is very physically demanding. I particularly notice it in my right arm, for which I have already had surgery as a result of compartment syndrome. That's one more thing I have to think about this weekend ". It will therefore not be easy for the pilot to 22 years old who has finished in the top 10 in all twelve races contested so far this season, while finishing in the top 6 nine times. And in the second main race at Assen, he even managed his first Honda podium in third place …
