HRC retains Estrella Galicia links despite Marc VDS drop

Honda Racing Corporation has extended its partnership with Estrella Galicia 0,0 for two more years despite the loss of the Marc VDS MotoGP squad.

The Spanish alcohol-free beer brand had acted as title sponsor to the customer Honda squad since 2015 when Marc VDS moved up to MotoGP with Scott Redding. But for 2019 the Belgian team drops out of the premier class, retaining its squad in Moto2, along with Estrella Galicia 0,0 as title sponsor in the intermediate class.

Estrella Galicia, which has also acted as a sponsor to Repsol Honda since 2013 forging links through Marc Marquez, has duly strengthened ties with HRC by securing a new two-year partnership deal. The agreement will see the company’s logo appear on all factory Honda team apparel plus Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo’s leathers.

“We are pleased to continue working with Estrella Galicia 0,0 who have been with us from the 2013 season and have shared five world titles with us,” Tetsuhiro Kuwata, HRC Director, said. “Their support for racing of all levels mirrors that of HRC’s and we are pleased to now also carry their logo on team apparel.

“Our sponsors and partners are always carefully chosen to reflect our values and contribute to our goal of becoming champions once again.”

“We are delighted to reinforce our partnership with HRC, a great and lasting journey started back in 2013,” Jose Villanueva said. “It is not easy to perform at the highest level year on year in such a demanding environment as MotoGP and for Estrella Galicia 0,0 it is certainly a privilege to be part of the best team on the grid.

“We are confident that more success is yet to come and can´t imagine a better way to celebrate this fantastic partnership than toasting with an Estrella Galicia 0,0.”

Honda’s MotoGP entries shrink down to four bikes in 2019, two Repsol Honda and two LCR Honda, with the loss of Marc VDS after four years working together.