MotoGp: tension in Honda, Puig puts Marc Marquez’s back to the wall

HRC team manager Puig hopes Marc Marquez can hit the track as early as early September: “We need you or we’re going in blind.”

HRC team manager Alberto Puig’s intense pressure on an early return to the saddle for Marc Marquez could create tensions at Honda. The Catalan centaur, who underwent surgery a few months ago on his arm for the fourth time, had been very cautious in Austria about his return to the track (“I’ll be back when I’m at 80 percent, if I have to wait I’ll wait”).

Instead, Puig would now like to anticipate the eight-time world champion’s return as early as early September at the Misano test, scheduled for the 6th and 7th after the Grand Prix. “I personally think he won’t be ready for the Misano race, but he can be ready for the test, and even if it’s not about doing 100 laps a day, if he can do even four to say yes or no to some components, that would be very important,” are Puig’s words.

Without Marquez, Honda is lost: “If he is not there we will go as we have been doing until now, which is blind.” Honda is living a nightmare in MotoGp: the best rider in Austria was Pol Espargarò, 15th, and the Top Ten has now been a mirage for several races.