The Spaniard joined the official HRC team a year ago, where his incorporation did not offer the fruits that neither he nor Honda expected. Pol Espargaró, who arrived from KTM, went through a period of adaptation to the Japanese manufacturer’s way of working, to the same extent that he did everything possible to get the best out of his new prototype.
Despite the podium achieved in Misano, already in the final stretch of the course, his sensations on the RC213V were never good due to the lack of grip on the rear end that undermined his confidence. That is more than understandable if we take into account the 20 falls he suffered, and that placed him as the third runner who rolled on the ground the most times.
After months of demands and almost prayers, Honda projected a prototype with a view to this 2022 completely different from the previous ones, with the intention of satisfying both Polyccio and the rest of the HRC pilots, who agreed with him in his wishes.
The pre-season tests that ended two weeks ago in Mandalika predict a jump in quality for most of the Hondas, already with a view to the first round, on the 6th, in Qatar. And especially Espargaró, who left Indonesia with the absolute best time and with a consistency in the rhythm of the turn that had not been seen to date.
According to the boy from Granollers (Barcelona), Honda’s demonstration of confidence leaves the ball in his court, so now it’s up to him to return the gesture with results.
“I think that with this bike I will be able to show my full potential. The main objective was that: to build a bike that I would feel comfortable with. All the Honda riders, me especially, complained last year about that lack of grip on the rear axle. My riding style is based on it, and that’s why I complained so much. Finally, Honda has given me what I asked for, so now it’s my turn,” Espargaró concedes in conversation with Motorsport.com.
Both for him and for the rest of his brand partners, the revolution promoted by the Tokyo manufacturer reflects its power, especially because of the short time it has taken to carry it out. “This change of concept shows the muscle that Honda has. To build a motorcycle completely from scratch and that in the preseason it is so fast, that is something that amazes me. I feel privileged to be where I am,” settles #44.
