There is probably none of the four Honda riders who is happier than Pol Espargaro after the change of concept made during the winter for the RC213V. He not only expresses satisfaction every time he is asked, but he also shows it with the time trial, as seen during the pre-season tests both in Malaysia, but above all in Mandalika, where he set the absolute best time.
The 2022 prototype is fast on the flying lap and, at the moment, has also shown itself to be very solid on the race pace. Beyond the outward appearance, the main difference from the previous model is the grip gain at the rear, exactly what Pol Espargaro lacked and required to avoid falls that took away his confidence last year. The contrast is incredible: in 2021, Polyccio was the third driver with the most accidents (as many as 20), while in the five days of winter testing he had none.
This Honda revolution could not have come at a better time for the Catalan, who in his first season in the Repsol suit was unable to meet expectations, reaching the podium only once, and with a contract that expires at the end of this year. While Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo keep waiting, the builder of the golden wing prefers to give Espargaro the opportunity to show the best version of him with material that much more reflects his needs. The Honda rider does not even allow himself a marginal grand prix, in less than three weeks in Qatar he wants to fight for the podium.
“I want to fight for the podium in Losail, there is no other option if we want to fight for the title. It won’t be easy, because there are many candidates, because there are many Ducatis who are very strong there. But we know where we have to stand, I have a goal and I can’t wait any longer ”, Pol Espargaro acknowledged in Mandalika in a chat with Motorsport.com.
Getting this goal he refers to would put him in the best position to extend his contract with HRC: “I feel like I’m at a match point every time I get on the bike. Not for Honda, not for my future, but for me; to prove to myself that I deserve to wear these colors. This doesn’t mean winning all the time, but showing Honda that after the effort made this winter, the bike can be competitive. Honda deserves to have a rider capable of fighting for the top positions ”.
#Espargaro #time #Honda #feel #match #point