It’s that time of year again. While most of us struggle to keep our New Year’s resolutions, MotoGP teams are getting ready to unveil their bikes for the new season. With the first official pre-season test at Sepang Circuit in Malaysia scheduled for February 4-5, 2022, Honda plans to present its RC213V 2022 to the world on January 14, 2022.
Team Red has already announced the presence of Repsol Honda rider Pol Espargaro and LCR Honda riders Taka Nakagami and Alex Marquez. However, six-time MotoGP champion and Repsol Honda leader Marc Marquez will skip the presentation as he continues to treat his injured eye.
The annual bike unveiling is not the most important date on the Spanish rider’s calendar. On the other hand, Marquez’s camp has been somewhat suspicious of the news of his latest diagnosis of diplopia. When the injury first occurred in Algarve Grand Prive week 2021, the HRC only reported it as a concussion. A week later, with many expected Marquez to return to the paddock, it was revealed the runner was also suffering from diplopia (double vision).
In December 2021, Marquez’s doctor released an update on the eight-time world champion’s condition, but the report was sparse, noting “adequate progress” in the recovery process. This latest move will only fuel speculation about the state of number 93.
Last season, while still battling an arm injury, Marquez joined squad newcomer Pol Espargaro for the unveiling of the RC213V 2021. The story will be different this season, with Marquez choosing to forgo the public appearance while he recovers.
While the number 93’s presence will be missed during the unveiling, he has bigger fish to whip up. With Sepang’s test right around the corner, Marquez aims to get back in time to ride the updated RC213V. Its priority is not to remove the covers from the new bike, but we hope it heals in time to complete the preseason testing in 2022.
Comments are closed.