Sunday in Portimao saw both Repsol Honda Team riders focus on time attacks, Sprint race runs, and refinements as Joan Mir ends the test in 13th with Marc Marquez just behind in 14th.
Perfect conditions
Perfect conditions saw out the MotoGP pre-season as the Repsol Honda Team completed their testing programme with the rest of the championship in Portimao. Two busy days saw several items tested and 289 laps completed between Joan Mir and Marc Marquez.
Joan Mir’s adaption to the Honda RC213V continued, and Sunday in Portugal saw him make solid forward progress, especially on his one-lap pace. A best time of 1’38.762 meant the 2020 MotoGP World Champion ended the test as the 13th fastest rider and top Honda machine.
Able to make a time attack, Mir was able to understand further where he and the Honda need to continue improving. As with the previous day, Mir’s race pace was more promising across his 61 laps.
Read More:KTM completes the 2023 Motogp prep
Focused
On the other side of the Repsol Honda Team garage, Marc Marquez diligently worked as his attention shifted from entirely focused on development to beginning to prepare for the coming race weekend in Portugal. The eight-time World Champion completed his first simulation of a new Sprint Race with his longest run of the test.
A fall at Turn 1 midway through the final day did little to upset Marquez’s overall testing plan.
The MotoGP World Championship begins its final preparations before the Grande Premio de Portugal, March 24 – 26, and the start of the most extended MotoGP season in history with 21 Grand Prix.
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Joan Mir
13th 1’38.762
“Today, we made more progress in adapting to the Honda. I still need to learn and adapt to a lot because it’s still a new bike, and some aspects are not yet second nature. Overall, it has been an off-season of progress, but of course, you always want more and more as a rider. We head into the opening races to keep improving and see what’s possible.”
Marc Marquez
14th 1’38.778
“We had the best feeling of our pre-season today. I was riding well and could do a Sprint Race simulation. Riding longer, I could focus more on my riding style and keep improving. Our rhythm wasn’t bad, and today we worked more towards what will come at the Portugal GP. We were able to make a few steps. Of course, you want more. The most important thing was that today I had the best feeling with the bike so far.”
via HRC
