Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1504789
VOLUME ISSUE AUGUST , P135 would be almost unprecedented, had it not happened the week before at the Sachsenring. An accumulated total of 14 falls this year, despite missing three of the eight races, has exacted a terrible toll. In this most gung-ho of riders, it has left a disquieting appearance of a broken spirit. Just as bad, in a different way, was a second Honda rider's broken leg, as the malaise went down the ranks. Alex Rins, the only Honda rider to win a race in almost two years, was already out of the Dutch TT, recovering from a serious double fracture and still out for the forthcoming British GP, after his heavy fall in the Italian GP, three races on from his U.S. win. (In the meantime, Rins did get married, in a wheelchair.) And second Repsol rider Joan Mir was likewise languishing, a hand injury in practice for the same Italian round ruling him out of the next three races—giv - ing him time to reflect on his crash-strewn "promotion" from the defunct Suzuki team to the factory Honda squad. The rumors started flying after the Dutch TT: that all three riders were contemplating Hexit—an escape from Honda, whether contractually obliged or not. They were given particular impetus when Repsol team manager Alberto Puig publicly confirmed that, while Marquez was signed up until the end of 2024, in the end, he was free to do whatever he pleased. "Hon - da," he said, "does not want to have people who are not happy to be with them." The same would certainly apply to Mir, whose dream ticket turned so rapidly sour. Although fevered rumors that he was bound for Ducati with the Gresini team have been denied, they just won't go away. Satellite rider Rins is in the same boat, and there have been no denials that he is a strong candidate to replace the out-of- favor Morbidelli at Yamaha. And while Yamaha is barely more successful than Honda at pres - ent, at least the second Japa- nese machine is kinder to its riders, being merely outclassed rather than actively treacherous. Rins, his satellite team boss Cecchinello has confirmed, has a get-out clause in his contract. Fourth RC213V rider Taka Nakagami, his LCR teammate, doesn't even have a contract, and while he might not yet be ready to quit MotoGP, it might come as a relief under current circumstances. And his expect - ed replacement Ai Ogura might be less than keen to move up from Moto2, where pre-season injury thwarted his hopes of a title challenge this year. The rumors are not just about riders. Thoughts that Honda might follow Suzuki out of the series may not be entirely fanci - ful, albeit probably premature. On the other hand, if Honda faces a dearth of riders, KTM is in the opposite position—with four already on strength, but an increasingly urgent need to find space for boy-wonder Pedro Acosta, who might desert them if they can't find him a MotoGP berth. This means they must either dump one of their four contracted riders or take over an existing team, with more badge engineering to get around rules allowing one factory team per brand. Husqvarna, anybody? They've already made a bid for Honda's LCR satellite, but owner Cecchinello (a loyal Honda man) has so far rebuffed their advances. Will Pol Espargaro, due for a return at Silverstone after his extensive race-one injuries, find he has lost the urge, as has been hinted? Or will KTM dump new boy Raul Fernandez after just one year, as they did his Moto2-champ predecessor Remy Gardner? All rumors. All at least vaguely possible. Therefore, not as silly as they might look. CN And while Yamaha is barely more successful than Honda at present, at least the second Japanese machine is kinder to its riders, being merely outclassed rather than actively treacherous.