Honda Racing Corporation renew with Marc Marquez until end of 2016

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Honda Racing Corporation is pleased to announce the renewal of the contract with 2013 World Champion, Marc Marquez, for a further two years.

The young Spaniard took the MotoGP World by storm winning the Championship in his rookie season last year. It was a priority for HRC to re-sign the young sensation who has won every race so far this season – all from pole position. Since joining the Factory outfit – the Repsol Honda Team – Marc has finished on the podium in all but two of his twenty-two MotoGP races. He’s taken ten victories, six second’s and four third’s. He’s also accumulated thirteen pole positions in the premier class.

He arrives at this weekend’s French GP leading the Rider’s Championship by 28 points after just four rounds.

Shuhei Nakamoto – HRC Executive Vice President:

“We are very satisfied to have reached an agreement to keep Marc in the team for a further two seasons. Of course as Honda we wanted to keep Marc in our family and he also wanted to stay with us so… it was natural to renew the contract even if it is very early in the season! He is enjoying a fantastic start to 2014 and even though he is still learning, his ability to absorb information and adapt to the machine is remarkable”

Marc Marquez:

“I am very happy to announce my renewal with HRC. I had always dreamt about being part of the Repsol Honda Team, and thanks to Honda the dream came true a year and a half ago. Everything happened very quickly last season, and I would have never imagined that I could achieve what we did. Becoming World Champion during my first season was another dream turned into reality. It is a great honour to be a part of the Honda family and I’m glad to remain with this special group of people for another two seasons”

HRC Press Release

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Repsol Honda Preview Losail MotoGP

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Winter testing is over and the Repsol Honda riders, Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, are on their way to Doha for the first race of 2014. It was positive Winter for Dani who completed many laps, however, it was a difficult period for World Champion, Marc, who missed two of the three tests due to injury.

The Losail circuit, located in the desert outside Qatar’s capital, Doha, sprung up in 2003 and hosted its first international motorcycle race in 2004. In 2008, it became notable for hosting the first-ever floodlit MotoGP race. At 5.380km in length, Losail is one of the longest circuits on the international calendar, with the main straight more than 1km long. Ten right turns, mix with six lefts but the flat and featureless landscape make it a difficult track to learn. Desert sand also causes grip problems.

This first grand prix of the season is also the only race weekend that stretches over four days, with FP1 beginning on Thursday evening, FP2 and FP3 on Friday evening, Qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday night at 22h00 local time.

Marc Marquez, who took his first MotoGP podium here last year en route to his World Championship, will be eager to get back on the bike for the first time since the 6th February. Marc suffered a training accident on the 19th February which ruled him out of the second Sepang test and tyre test in Phillip Island. Marc has visited the Qatar podium in all three classes, 3rd in MotoGP (2013), 1st in Moto2 (2012) and 3rd in 125cc (2010).

Teammate Dani Pedrosa, who has had a positive pre-season took second place here in 2012 and has finished on the podium a total of four times in MotoGP (2012 – 2nd, 2011 – 3rd, 2008 – 3rd, 2007 – 3rd) and once in 250cc (2004 – 2nd).

Marc Marquez

“Obviously it was very disappointing for me to miss the two tests but the good news is that I’m getting better and the bone is mending. I’ve been exercising more, so I’ll have to see how I am in Qatar - I don’t expect to be 100%, but I will try my hardest. The important thing is to take some valuable points and then get up to 100% by round two in Austin. Arriving in Qatar as World Champion is something new to me - to defend the Title - and I know that from the first session the eyes of the World will be on us. Taking my first podium here last year was special and I have good memories!”

Dani Pedrosa

“It’s been a pretty positive pre-season and we’ve completed a lot of laps in both Sepang and Phillip Island. We’ve made a lot of progress but as always there is room to improve. Since we finished in Australia, I’ve been concentrating on my fitness and focusing on the start of the season, my days are pretty hectic with the various training regimes. The race weekend in Qatar is quite long - as it stretches over four days - and the grip level is always quite low the first practice. Now I’m looking forward to the start of the Championship!”

Shuhei Nakamoto - HRC Executive Vice President

"We've had a positive Winter testing period with Dani. He has had an incredibly busy test schedule, completing over 500 laps in the 9 days tests, which has been vital. He is happy with the bike, and ready for the start of the season. Unfortunately Marc was unable to take part in two out of three tests. Anyway in the only test he did, Marc was very fast and completed many laps gathering a lot of data for the HRC engineers. Now we must wait and see his physical condition when he arrives in Qatar. It will be an interesting season, and we look forward to start it!"

Repsol Honda Press Relase

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Casey Stoner to test for HRC

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Casey Stoner will climb back on a Honda RC213V, for the first time since Valencia 2012, as a test rider for Honda Racing Corporation. The two-time World Champion left the sport at the end of last year and has been linked with rumours of a wild card appearance this season but this is now out of the question. 

The Australian rider will do four tests in Motegi in the next few months with Honda Racing's R&D team, working on the evolution of the RC213V and also on the new production racer bike that Honda Racing will sell to selected team next year to race in MotoGP.

Casey Stoner

"It's been almost 7 months now since Valencia and I'm still happy and comfortable with the decision I made to stop racing. Sometimes I miss riding my RCV, so I am happy that HRC asked me to do some tests in Motegi this year. This will allow me to enjoy what I miss: riding a MotoGP bike! I'm looking forward to getting on the bike and see how it has changed from last year and I'd like to thank Honda for this opportunity"

Shuhei Nakamoto - HRC Executive Vice President

"We are very pleased to have Casey back on a Honda! He knows this machine very well and I'm sure he can help our engineers and technicians with the development of the RC213V. We will also ask him to test the new production racer and give us his initial feedback to assist us in producing the best machine possible"

Source: HRC Press Release

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HRC and LCR Team with Stefan Bardl in 2014

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LCR Honda Team is pleased to announce that Stefan Bradl has signed an agreement with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to line up as a Honda “factory supported” rider competing for the LCR Team in the 2014 MotoGP World Championship.  

For the next two years the LCR Team and the German rider, with direct support from HRC, will continue the productive collaboration, which began this year and saw Bradl taking the “Rookie of the Year” Award. 

Shuhei Nakamoto (HRC Vice President): “Stefan, in his first season in the premier class, has demonstrated high skills, motivation and professionalism exceeding our initial expectations. We are happy to have fixed this deal to work with LCR and Stefan through to 2014”. 

Stefan Bradl (LCR rider): “HRC’s support was extremely important for me in my first season in the premier class and riding for the LCR Team has been a very positive experience for me: I am happy to continue with Lucio’s Team and HRC for the next two years!”

Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Team Manager): “Being a part of HRC’s program and continuing our sport project with Stefan through to 2014 make us very happy and very proud because this deal gives us the chance to better plan our job aiming to close the championship in the top positions. Stefan has amazed everybody at his debut in 2012 and I am sure the best is yet to come”.

LCR Honda Press Release

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Positive steps in Mugello Test for Repsol Honda Team

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After three demanding weeks, with consecutive races in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, the Repsol Honda Team have concluded with a positive day of testing at the Mugello circuit.

The Honda factory team were back on track this morning to test a new engine and a new prototype that HRC has developed, aiming improve performance of the RC213V.

Dani Pedrosa did 51 laps with a best time of 1'47.549, two tenths under the circuit record he set in Sunday's race (1'47.705) and Casey Stoner completed 47 laps with a fastest time of 1'47.551, just two thousandths off his team mate.

Both riders reported some positive feedback and the HRC engineers now have valuable data from the factory riders to take back to Japan for evaluation.

The Repsol Honda Team can now enjoy a small break before taking to the track in Laguna Seca for the US Grand Prix on the 29th July.

DANI PEDROSA - 2nd 1'47.549

"We tested many things today and I'm happy because we found some positives with the new engine and also with the new chassis that can help us in the second part of the season. I was really hoping for some improvements after the issues we have had with the extra weight, chattering and the front tyres and in this test we made a step forward. Honda is working very hard and I'm sure they will do their best to be able to supply us the new parts for Laguna and the following races, but we'll see if it's possible with the engine allocations; anyway, it would be very good for us. The engine is better into the corner, the engine brake is smoother and the bike is not so sharp when you close the throttle, so this helps you to get into the corner. I made my best lap time on my current bike; it's normal as I'm used to it. With the new bike I made a mistake shifting gears and I had a small crash on my third lap, so I couldn't do a longer run, but the feeling was also positive".

CASEY STONER - 3rd 1'47.551

"We had a new engine and new chassis to test today. With the engine we found some improvements, a little smoother and some more power. As far as chassis goes I didn't find any real benefits, we tried many different things but couldn't get a better feeling. There were a few small areas that improved but nothing in terms of performance or for the lap time, just a marginally better feeling under braking. It wasn't really the test we were looking for, we had hoped to find something to help us get rid of the chatter and give us some more feeling in the middle of the corner but unfortunately we didn't find this. If we can have the new engine with the current chassis, it's the best combination, but we're not sure if we can have it in time for Laguna Seca, we'll have to wait and see".

SHUHEI NAKAMOTO - HRC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

"Both riders gave positive feedback with the new engine and we will do our best to provide it to them already next week in Laguna Seca. The new chassis has good points and bad points. Dani seems to like it and we will do our best to bring it for him at the next round. Casey doesn't find what he was looking for in this new chassis; to reduce the chatter. We have some more ideas to solve this and we will continue working to improve our machine but we can be reasonably happy of today's result".

Repsol Honda Press Release

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Repsol Honda Team with Dani Pedrosa and Marc Márquez 2013 2014

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HRC has announced the new contract for 2013 and 2014 season on Repsol Honda team. After several rumors before, both riders will ride for Repsol Honda team for next two year. After Casey Stoner decided to retire at the end of this year, HRC looking for some candidate to fill the position. And finally after rookie rule was removed, Marc Marquez finally get his promotion on the factory team.

Dani Pedrosa

"I'm very happy to be able to announce my renewal with the Repsol Honda Team for the next two years. It's been a very long relationship with Honda and I had a strong desire to stay here. The fight for the Championship this year is still open and the next two seasons will be very interesting for me. My whole career has been linked to Honda, since I entered into the World Championship in 125cc, then in 250cc and since 2006 in MotoGP. I'm perhaps one of the riders with the longest history with Honda, which makes me feel very proud. I want to thank HRC once again for their support; I'm sure that we have great things to do together.”

Marc Márquez

“To reach MotoGP next season with Repsol Honda is a dream come true and I want to thank HRC for their confidence in me. I am very proud to be a part of the big Honda family for the future and I don’t want to forget all the people have helped me since I began to ride motorbikes. Now my focus is on Moto2 where my team and I are working very hard and we are excited to achieve our goal, which is to win the World Championship in 2012.”

Shuhei Nakamoto - HRC Executive Vice President

"We are very pleased to renew our contract with Dani and welcome Marc to the Repsol Honda Team. Dani is enjoying a very strong season and currently fighting with Casey and Lorenzo for the Championship, we are very pleased with his performance. Marc has already proved how fast he is in 125cc and Moto2, and we believe that, giving him the right time to adapt to the new class, he will also be able to show this in MotoGP in the future.”

Repsol Honda Press Release

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HRC Maybe Can Have Three Factory Supported Riders on 2013

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Shuhei Nakamoto the executive vice president of HRC give his opinion on GPOne, that maybe Honda can have three factory supported riders on next season.

Last year, Repsol Honda MotoGP team have three riders on their line up, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, and Andrea Dovizioso. This year, they only have two riders, and Dovizioso now with Yamaha. Nakamoto explained, the main reason they back to two riders was budget. HRC need big funds on 1000cc bike development. 

Nakamoto said, "Last year we had three factory riders but we had to reduce the number to two because this is the first year with 1000cc and we needed a lot of money for the development of RC213V. But for next year may be we can have three factory supported riders. Why not?"

So, if HRC will race with three factory supported riders, who will fill the line up? As Casey Stoner announced his retirement, Repsol Honda only have Dani Pedrosa on the team. According to the rumors on Spanish press, Jorge Lorenzo will join Repsol Honda (because of Spanish strong influence on Repsol Honda). Nakamoto said that he already talked to Lorenzo's manager just as an introduction.

"I have already spoken to Jorge’s manager here in Barcelona as he wanted to see me. Not a negotiation but just introducing ourselves. That is quite normal to see someone, when he asks to see you", said Nakamoto-san.

About Valentino Rossi chance bak to Honda, Nakamoto said that if Rossi want to come back, he have to build the satellite team with Honda. "Not to the factory team, but he can ask satellite Honda teams if he wants. I think he can bring a big sponsorship and that will be welcomed by many teams". said Nakamoto in answer about Rossi.

Last candidate for the riders fulfillment is Marc Marquez. Unfortunately, MotoGP regulation didn't allow rookie to join factory team. 

According to Nakamoto statement about three factory supported riders, if Rossi or Marquez join Honda as satellite, they will get a factory bike like Simoncelli last year.

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Repsol Honda Engaged to AON

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There's a contrast situation between Honda and Yamaha factory team on getting sponsorship. Yamaha factory is still struggle getting the main sponsor. But Honda factory with main label Repsol Honda, engaged to AON, the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage and human resource consulting.

Livio Suppo was penned the deal for Repsol Honda team. And if you see the first race at Qatar early this month, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa were already put AON logo on their wearpack, arm side.

Shuhei Nakamoto:

“HRC are excited to begin this new relationship with Aon. We look forward to working alongside Aon to grow this sponsorship for the future”.

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New Parts for Stoner and Pedrosa

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Encountering last chatter issue from RC213V, Honda will introduce new parts in next month. Shuhei Nakamoto expects new parts to be available during the one-day Estoril test on May 7. 

This chatter issue was appear during the Brno and Valencia test last year, and also this year test at Sepang. It's sounds that after Jerez test, this chatter issue was reduced. But on the first opening race at Losail circuit, chatter made Stoner down to 3rd place podium.

According to MCN interview, Shuhei Nakamoto told:

“We don’t have a plan to bring a new chassis but we will bring some different items to try. We are trying several things but unfortunately we can’t fix this problem. This issue comes from the tyre grip level. If the track surface is different then the level of the chatter is also different.”

“All circuits we are having chatter. In the first Sepang test it was very bad, at the second Sepang test a little better.  Jerez it wasn’t such a big problem but it was still there and in Qatar it was a very big problem again. We have tried several things and at the moment we haven’t found a solution to fix this problem.”

source: MCN

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Nakamoto: When I Saw Lorenzo in Winter Testing, I Started to Worry

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Shuhei Nakamoto was not suprise with the Qatar MotoGP result. Since the winter test of MotoGP, Nakamoto started to worry about Lorenzo and his M1. Nakamoto explain the race condition. Casey Stoner is suffering with chatter, while Dani Pedrosa has a balance problems. Personaly, Nakamoto is not hope for a victory. 

"Lorenzo is the pilot who last year gave us more problems. Now is even better driving conditions and if ever so well will be very tough for us. When I saw it in winter testing, I started to worry."

Comparing to the last year race, Honda did not reach the same speed and Yamaha is improve this year. Especially Lorenzo, his bike is handles better in every time. The main problem of Casey's, chattering, was tried to be eliminated. But some setup from the team still could not dive the best result. Better result came on warm up session. Honda was modify the suspension and it works. But unfortunately Casey had an arm pump problem. Speaking about Dani Pedrosa, Nakamoto said that Dani was made a big changes of the bike setup. Wheelbase changes was made a better result. 

Facing the next race on Jerez, Honda's boss would not say about result. Nakamoto told that Honda have to work to solve the problem, and they still have much time to recover

inverview source: motorionline.com

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Both HRC and Yamaha are Not Agree with Budget Cap

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£12.5m budget cap that proposed for 1000cc MotoGP project is impossible for HRC and Yamaha. Both of them are agree with maximium spending without limitation. Here the statement from HRC and Yamaha's boss, Shuhei Nakamoto and Lin Jarvis, as quoted from MCN here.

Shuhei Nakamoto:
“It’s impossible to police this. How can you check how much they are spending in R and D? We fully agree with the philosophy but 15m Euro is too difficult for us. "I think more realistic is something closer to 20m. I think that is reasonable for a company to join MotoGP. I have heard some rumours that BMW is already spending 15m Euro in World Superbike. "If they come to MotoGP they could find bigger sponsorship to cover the extra costs and get more exposure for their brand.”

Lin Jarvis:

 “To police a budget cap in my opinion is virtually impossible. To even start thinking about policing it is a bad idea because you will consume an awful amount of time. "We will only give money to the accountants and the FIM will probably have to increase their staff by X amount to carry that out. I don’t think it is the right way to go but the idea is good. "The idea is to limit the expense of a manufacturer to reasonable parameters so we can encourage more manufacturers to come back and not need an endless budget. "But whether 15m is the right number, I have no idea. That’s a number that’s been thrown out but I don’t think there has been any real serious calculation.”

source: MCN

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