Honda is “hopeless” without Marc Marquez
The absence of Marc Marquez from the MotoGP event this season is considered to really make Honda look limping. It was also recognized by two-time world champion Casey Stoner when speaking on the ‘In the Fast Lane’ Podcast.
Marc Marquez suffered an arm fracture in the first series of this season, which forced him to miss the next 3 months. In his absence, Honda chose Cal Crutchlow as Alex Marquez’s partner since the second series.
Unfortunately, the two riders were still unable to get Honda where it “should”. No wonder, the public thinks this single wing manufacturer looks “lame” without the presence of Marc Marquez.
According to Casey Stoner, this reinforces Marc Marquez’s status as Honda’s true “Leader”. The reason is, the Spanish Rider knows exactly how to conquer the RCV-19 which is difficult to control.
In addition, Marc Marquez’s absence also made two other riders lose their way on the track.
“Honestly, I think Marc can win with any bike, because more or less the performance of the bikes now is similar. Only the characters are different. But the biggest difference is, currently there is no ‘leader’ there.”
“You need to see other people do something on the bike, so you can believe you can reach the same level,” said Stoner.
Furthermore, Casey Stoner considers that something similar has happened to Ducati when he left the Italian manufacturer. They were difficult to compete and looked bad in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
“This is not an easy task. Take Ducati for example. When I go, they struggle. I don’t say I am the ‘leader’, but I never see if the grass is greener on the other side. I always feel this is the bike I have to ride, and I have to go fast. This is what Marc also did, “said Stoner.
Therefore, according to Stoner, Honda will not be able to compete in the title race this season. Their riders lost their way, not knowing what to do without Marc Marquez.
“Honda clearly seems to have lost its way in trying to show what their bike can do,” he concluded.