With 159 laps between them, Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró made the most of the latest in-season MotoGP test as they worked through an extensive list.
For the second time in 2021, the MotoGP World Championship was back out on track on Monday for an in-season test. After a difficult start to the season, it was a crucial test for the Repsol Honda Team and both riders were some of the first out on track.
With Sunday’s disappointment behind him, Pol Espargaró went about working with the Repsol Honda Team to find a direction for future races. A total of 72 laps made for a busy day, his best time of 1’39.877 coming on lap. This time saw Espargaró end the day in sixth and with more knowledge gained after another full day on board the RC213V. The lap time came on Espargaró’s penultimate lap. Espargaró’s afternoon was briefly upset by a fall as a result of another rider riding slowly.
Marc Márquez worked hard from the start of day and in total completed 87 laps aboard the RC213V machine, the most laps of any rider across Monday. A time attack was not the focus of the test for eight-time World Champion, Marquez ending the day as the 11th quickest rider with a best time of 1’40.054.
June 20th is the date of the next Grand Prix, affording the Repsol Honda Team a week to work away from the circuit after two demanding back-to-back weekends.
MARC MÁRQUEZ – 11th 1’40.54
“It has been a very busy day today; we have completed a big amount of laps, I suffered today but I needed a day like this where I could just ride. In the beginning it wasn’t bad, in the afternoon I wasn’t pushing as much but it worked well. Now it’s time to take a rest and do a step with my physical condition. We have found a lot of information, and this is key. Overall, it has been a good and productive day on the bike.”
POL ESPARGARÓ – 6º 1’39.877
“Without much pre-season testing, every chance I have to ride the Honda is important. We’ve had a good and busy day trying a lot of things to keep learning and understanding the bike. We had one unfortunate crash today due to another rider, but we have still be able to complete many laps.”
