It was from the “Welcome Plaza Aoyama” in Tokyo that the world's leading manufacturer presented its factory team responsible for defending its colors in the Superbike World Championship, where Honda is making its official return after 18 years.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), public attendance was canceled. On the other hand, Midori Moriwaki presented his satellite team, with its driver Takumi Takahashi. Jordi Torres, the second team driver, was neither present nor introduced.
Yoshishige Nomura, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), then handed the floor to another Spaniard and we discovered Jaume Colom, new manager of Team HRC. Through him we felt the presence of Alberto Puig, now involved in WSBK with Honda.
Álvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam then took the stage to express their points of view.
According to Alvaro Bautista, “It’s definitely a very special moment for me. Being part of this brand new project is very good. »
“I am very happy to be here in Japan, because I always feel very loved by the people here. It will be a very good project and we can't wait to start the season.
“It will also be difficult because we have to develop the new bike, but I am sure that with Honda we can achieve our goal of winning.”
To Leon Haslam, “Being part of this project is a dream come true. To see here in Tokyo the efforts HRC is putting into the all-new Fireblade, I've been smiling since the first few laps I did and can't wait to start in Australia next week. »
“We got to see the bike for the first time and we were both smiling and laughing. The excitement of this whole project, the look of the bike, you can see for yourself it's amazing. »
According to the team manager Jaume Colom, “I am happy to be part of Honda and HRC again. I would like to thank them for this project. »
“It's a new team with a new machine, and we know that at the beginning it's not easy, but our goal is clearly to take the bike to the top places in the new future. »
“This is a new challenge for Honda, the riders and the team, and we will fight with our passion, our motivation and our courage. »
