Espargaro keen to avoid Indonesia repeat, Bradl replaces Marquez

Espargaro will once again be in charge of leading the Repsol Honda team’s charge at the Termas De Rio Hondo Circuit, something he gained plenty of experience with in 2021. 

Following the expected news that Marquez would miss at least this weekend’s third round of the 2022 season, test rider Bradl has been drafted in to compete in a MotoGP race for a tenth consecutive season. 

That’s despite not being contracted as a full-time rider since 2018. 

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For Espargaro, the Grand Prix of Argentina should present a chance to re-discover his form from Qatar, after Honda were one of the manufacturers who struggled most with Michelin’s revised 2018 tyre compound. 

The former KTM rider had huge expectations placed upon his shoulders going into that race, not just because of his season-opening podium, but because he also topped the three-day pre-season test at Mandalika. 

And after closing out FP1 fastest at the newly-resurfaced Indonesian track, things quickly went downhill for the former Moto2 world champion. 

Espargaro failed to clinch a top ten spot on combined free practice times, before only managing P15 in qualifying. The race wasn’t much better as he claimed P12 in treacherous conditions. 

Speaking ahead of the weekend, "I am looking forward to getting our season back on the right line after a difficult weekend in Indonesia, what has happened is in the past and now we focus on the future. 

"We are close to the top of the championship and the objective is to put together a weekend like in Qatar. 

"I have had some consistent results in Argentina in the past and we know what the Honda this year can do. It’s time to keep working and show our potential."

With consistency being a problem in the past, a return to form is key for Espargaro and his championship aspirations. The 30 year-old is currently ten points away from championship leader Enea Bastianini. 

What can we expect from Bradl?

As stated above, stepping in for Marquez won’t be Bradl’s first rodeo as a replacement rider. 

The German was fairly competitive during the five races he contested in 2021 - scored points on all occasions. 

On top of that, Bradl has already tested the revolutionised 2022 RC213V package, meaning the 32 year-old won’t go into this weekend’s first Argentina MotoGP since 2019 completely blind.

However, with MotoGP at an all-time high in terms of competitiveness, it’s unlikely Bradl will score points in let’s say, a ‘normal’ race. 

Bradl’s last MotoGP appearance took place at Portimao as he claimed 15th, while his last race at the Argentine venue was in 2016 when he managed a seventh place finish. 

"The most important thing is sending my best to Marc and hoping that he recovers quickly," said Bradl. "Until then, I will do my best for Honda HRC and the Repsol Honda Team in his place. 

"I have already done a few tests this year so I am familiar with the new Honda RC213V but of course coming into a MotoGP weekend is a different situation. 

"I have some good memories of Argentina; I was fifth there in 2014 and seventh there when I last raced in Termas in 2016. 

"We will work with the team to define the plan for the weekend, I have no doubt it will be a busy one."