Puig: Honda 'must be back on top', Marquez a 'legendary rider'

Repsol Honda Team Manager, Alberto Puig, has identified Honda’s clear goal for the 2022 MotoGP campaign - ‘We must be back on top’. 

Following two difficult seasons where results and the overall performance of the RC213V were below par, Honda have made no secret about the changes for 2022 which includes a completely new aero and fairing package, along with a brand new chassis and engine. 

And so far, results seem to indicate a huge leap in performance as Pol Espargaro topped two of the three test days in Mandalika, while Marc Marquez was also very competitive.

While it’s just testing and therefore never fully representative of what happens during a race weekend, all signs point to Honda being much more competitive, which according to Puig is a must for the Japanese manufacturer.

Puig added: "We must be back on top. It’s clear. Again, like I always say: we are Honda, and we must be on top otherwise there is no point to continue participating in the MotoGP Championship. 

"The goal is of course to be on the top but of course when we change the bike in such a radical step, especially when we are changing the concept, it will not be easy, especially at the beginning of the season, I guess. 

"Not just for the engineers but also for the riders, because we still have the same riders as last year." 

Although Espargaro was the fastest Honda rider during both tests, eight-time world champion Marquez is likely to be the team’s leading championship contender. 

After winning three races in 2021, all of which came while less than fully fit, a better and more forgiving package from Honda will without doubt put the Spaniard in firm contention to return to the form we saw prior to sustaining a shoulder injury in 2020 (Jerez).

Speaking about Marquez’ strongest point as a rider, Puig highlighted his ‘physical preparation’, while also calling him a ‘legendary rider’: "Marc’s strongest point, I think everyone in the world knows more or less how good this rider is and I mean it’s clear that he’s one of the best, one of the legendary riders in history. 

"But for me, having worked with him for more than nine years, his strongest point is his physical preparation all the time and as well as his mental strength and cleverness. 

"In any type of race he can do the best in that particular moment for that race, he’s a guy who can see the circumstances, the situation, and try to understand what is best at that moment for him and for all of us to do. And he's a guy who can achieve it. That’s his strongest point."