Dominant Marquez takes Honda’s 300th premier class win in France

Marc Marquez took his third win of the 2019 season with another dominating performance as teammate Jorge Lorenzo took his best finish of the season with 11th.

Cold conditions from morning Warm Up carried through until the start of the French Grand Prix at 14:00 local time, a track temperature of just 18°C made for treacherous opening laps.

Marc Marquez was able to keep clear of trouble to open a small advantage, Jack Miller the only rider able to stay with him. Miller was briefly able to get past, but the Repsol Honda Team rider responded to the challenge on lap six and retook the lead. Steadily building his lead lap-by-lap, Marquez crossed the line 1.9 seconds clear of Dovizioso, claiming Honda’s 300th win in the premier class.

The win is also Marquez’s 47th in the premier class, drawing equal with Jorge Lorenzo in third on the all time premier class wins list. Marquez now extends his lead in the  to eight points, Honda maintaining a healthy advantage in the Constructor Championship.

With his best start of the year, Jorge Lorenzo was able to immediately insert himself into the group battling for the top ten. Able to attack multiple times, Lorenzo found himself as high as seventh. Ultimately crossing the line in 11th, Lorenzo takes his best finish of the season as he continues his adaption to the Honda.

The MotoGP World Championship now prepares to head to the iconic Mugello circuit for the Italian Grand Prix, May 31 – June 02.

Dakar 2020: New information

A new chapter in the Dakar Rally story has opened with the official presentation of the 2020 edition due to take place in Saudi Arabia. After Africa and South America, the Middle East now takes up the baton of the rally-raid race par excellence. New details were unveiled yesterday in Paris.

With an audience crowded with future participants and various team leaders, the Dakar 2020 Race Director, David Castera outlined more details of the race which was first presented in Saudi Arabia a month ago. In a meeting which took place at the Institute of the Arab World in the French capital, Castera confirmed the race’s course will cover some 9000 kilometres to be tackled over a fortnight with 12 stages, as well as other as yet unknown details about the Middle East’s maiden Dakar

After sending the participating vehicles by maritime transport from South of France to Saudi Arabia, the team will recover them in the port of Jeddah on New Year’s Day 2019. The build-up to the race will take place in the country’s second largest city, as events get underway with the ceremonial starting ramp on January 4. The start of the first stage is scheduled for January 5. The rest day will be held on January 11 in the country’s capital, Riyadh, and the event will conclude in Al Qiddiya on January 17 where the final podium and celebrations will take place.

Furthermore, other data, as yet unknown, was revealed by Castera to those present at the conference, including a prohibition of any training in Saudi Arabia, the distribution of roadbook prior to the stage, the creation of a Super Marathon stage for motorcycles (there will be two marathon days) plus a varied route design, which will cover different types of terrain in the Arab country.

Monster Energy Honda Team has confirmed its inscription for this new edition of the most veteran Cross-Country Rally in the world, and it will do so with a mixed team which will line-up experience alongside ambition.

The riders of the Monster Energy Honda Team will participate, this July, in the Silk Way Rally, the second round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship to be held in Russia, Mongolia and China.

Honda Racing raring to get roads campaign underway at the International North West 200

Honda is ready to get its 2019 road racing campaign underway as Ian Hutchinson and new recruit, David Johnson, have arrived at the International North West 200 ready to kick off proceedings tomorrow.

Wrapping up pre-season testing on a high, the Honda Racing team has enjoyed vast amounts of track time across the off-season in Europe, as well as various UK circuits, including the team’s favourite; Castle Combe in Wiltshire, in preparation for the NW200, the Isle of Man TT and the Ulster GP.

Working closely with Dunlop throughout all tests both Hutchinson and Johnson have been testing different tyre compounds, as well as working with new suspension partner K-Tech, to fine-tune settings ready for the start of the road-race season.

At the NW200 Honda’s road racing experts will contest the Superbike and Superstock races aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, as well as the Supersport races on CBR600RR machinery at the 8.970-mile road circuit.

Action at the NW200 gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday 14 May) with First Practice, there’s further practice and racing on Thursday (16 May), as well as racing all-day on Saturday (18 May). Get the full 2019 International North West 200 practice and race schedule here.

Source: Honda Racing

Post race testing at Jerez

The post-race Jerez Test gave Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo a chance to explore a number of potential setup options and development parts for the Honda RC213V.

After claiming his second win of the 2019 season, Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team immediately got back to work at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. First on the list to test was the development Honda RC213V ridden by Stefan Bradl during the weekend. Setting a 1’37.260, Marquez leaves Jerez seventh fastest in the test.

For Jorge Lorenzo, the test provided more important kilometres aboard Repsol Honda Team machine. He suffered a small crash at Turn 6 just before 16:00 local time but was able to return to testing shortly after. His test was brought to an end by a second crash at Turn 7 as the flag came out. Completing a total of 93 laps, Lorenzo concluded the test in ninth place with a best time of 1’37.466.

The Repsol Honda Team and riders now return home briefly before heading out to the French GP at the Le Mans circuit, May 17 – 19.

Marquez takes a victory at Jerez!

Marc Marquez becomes first repeat premier class winner of 2019 as he storms to victory in Jerez, Jorge Lorenzo returning to the points.

Fans flooded the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto from early in the morning, eager to see what would happen at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España.  21°C ambient temperatures and 42°C track temperature providing supreme racing conditions for fans and the Repsol Honda Team alike.

Leaving the fall of Warm Up behind him, Marc Marquez stormed off the line to lead the 23-rider field through the opening corners. Lap eight saw Marquez open a gap and begin to break away at the front, steadily building an advantage with each corner. The dominant ride saw the reigning World Champion cross the line 1.654 seconds ahead of second place after celebrating across the line in the 300th MotoGP race.

His 46th win in the premier class, and 72nd across all classes, moves Marquez to the top of the championship table with 70 points, a point clear of second placed Rins. His 1’38.051 on Lap 15 of the race secured Marquez a new race lap record at the Jerez circuit along with his 25 World Championship points. He also becomes the third most successful Honda rider, overtaking Jim Redman who claimed 45 wins and overtakes Lawson to become the sixth most successful MotoGP rider in terms of premier class podium finishes with 80.

Jorge Lorenzo was left wanting more as he crossed the line in 12th at the Spanish GP. It proved a difficult race for Lorenzo who is still working on perfecting the setting of his Honda. Monday’s test day offers Lorenzo and his team an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the bike and regroup ahead of the French GP.

With 76 points, Honda sit atop the Constructor Championship.

The Repsol Honda Team will take part in the official post race test at the Jerez Circuit on Monday, May 06 before beginning their preparations for round five – the French GP, May 17 – 19.

Jerez awaits resurgent Repsol Honda Team

Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo are ready to resume their challenge on Spanish soil as 300th MotoGP race looms.

The MotoGP World Championship touches down in Europe for the first time in 2019, the Spanish GP marking the 300th MotoGP race after the class was introduced in 2002. Honda machines have taken 142 wins in that time and both Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo will be fighting to make it 143 in Jerez.

After the difficulties of Austin, Marc Marquez arrives in Jerez aiming to get his title defence back on track. With six podiums and two wins to his name in the premier class at the track. The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto is the perfect staging ground for Marquez to attack his nine-point deficit in the championship battle.

Jorge Lorenzo is one of the only riders with a better record at Jerez than Marquez, the five-time champion having secured three wins and eight podiums in the premier class at the iconic circuit. A now fully fit Jorge Lorenzo is out for a strong weekend at the familiar Jerez circuit after being careful to avoid further injury in the opening races.

Stefan Bradl will join the MotoGP grid once again on a fifth Honda RC213V as the HRC test rider participates as a wildcard.

Free Practice 1 begins at 09:55 Local Time on Friday, May 03.

MayDay! Save up to €2000 on selected Honda Motorcycles

MayDay! MayDay!

Nothing like the start of summer to launch a MayDay Sale! Save up to €2000 on selected Honda motorcycles this May.

First up is the simply stunning CBR1000RR SP1 Fireblade:

The Fireblade SP1: Equipped with semi-active Öhlins Step motor-type Electronic Control suspension, plus Honda Selectable Torque Control, Wheelie Control, Rear Lift Control, Selectable Engine Brake, new ABS, Quickshifter (with Downshift Assist), Riding Mode Select System and Power Selector. RC213V-S MotoGP derived technology elevates the riding experience even further.

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Following this we’ve got the uber retro CB1100NA RS:

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Next we’ve got the cutting edge CB1000 RA – in two versions, the Standard and FOP.

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To avail of these MayDay Sale prices contact your local Honda Motorcycle Dealership now 

Terms and Conditions: Discounts expire on May 31st 2019. All models listed are 2018 models. images used for illustration, some colours unavailable. Honda reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time. Only while stocks last. 

Dakar 2020 to be held in Saudi Arabia

The route for the 2020 Dakar Rally, the first edition of the rally-raid to be held in Saudi Arabia, has been revealed.

Event organiser ASO presented the route during a press conference in Al-Qiddiya, near Saudi capital Riyadh, on Thursday alongside representatives from the Saudi government.

The event will commence on January 5 in Jeddah, the second-largest city in the country that is located on the west coast, before concluding on January 17 in Al-Qiddiya after 12 stages and over 9,000km (5592.34 miles) of running.

A rest day is planned for January 11 in Riyadh.

Given the nature of the Saudi terrain, much of the route will be characterised by sand dunes – like in last year’s Peru-based Dakar – as competitors tackle the Rub’ al Khali desert.

But the opening stages will feature some WRC-style tracks and mountainous terrain.

Rally director David Castera commented: “For a born explorer like the Dakar, a fascinating and exciting third chapter opens.

“In the most extensive country of the region, the possibilities of tracing a demanding, balanced and varied route are practically endless.”

The deal for Saudi Arabia to host the Dakar is understood to be for five years, although that does not exclude other countries from joining the route in that time.

Repsol Honda Team leave difficult Austin weekend ready for European return

Both Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo leave the Americas GP pointless after a double DNF while fighting at the front.

A chilly, but dry, morning Warm Up session soon gave way to 39ºC track temperature as the MotoGP World Championship lined up for the 20-lap race. Leaving his braking late, pole-setter Marc Marquez led into and through Turn 1, steadily building his lead each lap. An error into Turn 12 on Lap 9 caused Marquez to lose the front of his RC213V, unable to restart his machine he was forced to retire. Marquez was unharmed in the fall.

Starting 11th, Jorge Lorenzo did his best to maintain his position in the opening laps. Lap 5 saw Lorenzo find his rhythm and commence his march forward, quickly making up several positions. Looking comfortable on his RC213V in tenth, Lorenzo was closing in on Bagnaia in ninth when he encountered a problem and was forced to retire. The issue was unrelated to the one suffered by Lorenzo on Saturday and HRC are investigating the issue.

The Gran Premio Red Bull de España at the iconic Jerez circuit, May 3 – 5, offers the Repsol Honda Team a chance to return to fighting at the front. Marquez and Lorenzo have taken 14 premier class podiums, including five wins, between them on their previous visits to the Spanish track.

Repsol Honda Team ready to rumble in Austin

Marc Marquez returns to happy hunting grounds in Texas as Jorge Lorenzo prepares to turn his bad luck around.

Introduced in to the MotoGP World Championship calendar in 2013, the Circuit of the Americas offers an interesting mix of tight and technical turns in the first sector and the two high-speed straights split by the tight turn 11. This mix results in a bike setup unique to the American track.

Since the Argentina GP, Marc Marquez has enjoyed time in Brazil with Estrella Galicia 0,0 as well extra time in the US.  After the most dominant dry weather win of his premier class career, Marquez arrives in Austin, Texas with winning on his mind. Having qualified on pole and won all six MotoGP races at the Circuit of the Americas, Marquez’s riding style and the strengths of the Honda RC213V have always excelled at the Americas GP.

Given Marquez and Honda’s record on American soil, Jorge Lorenzo is excited to see how he will perform on his new machine. While he was again hit with bad luck come Sunday’s race, Saturday’s sessions and Warm Up in Argentina proved he and the RC213V can challenge at the front when conditions are right and with a deeper understanding of the bike, their challenge will only grow.

The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas begins with Free Practice 1 on Friday, April 12 at 09:55 local time.