Marc Marquez to race MotoGP with the Repsol Honda Team
Thursday 12 July: Honda Racing Corporation is pleased to officially announce Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez as the two factory Honda riders for 2013 and 2014.
Dani Pedrosa, who currently lies 2nd in the World Championship as the
season reaches the halfway point, will extend his contract with Honda
whom he has raced with his debut in the World Championship in 2001.
Dani is a three time World Champion (2003 in 125cc, 2004 and 2005 in
250cc) and made his debut in MotoGP in 2006, claiming the Rookie of the
Year title and fifth position in the Championship. He has been runner up
twice and has also finished third in the premier class on two
occasions. After celebrating his maiden win of the 2012 season last
weekend in Germany, Dani has shown he is certainly one of the contenders
for the title in the premier class this year.
Marc Marquez, born on 17th of February 1993, will make his debut in
MotoGP with the Honda factory team at just 20 years old. Already
recognised as one of the biggest young talents in the World
Championship, Marc has signed for two years with HRC. He was 125cc World
Champion in 2010, runner up on his debut year in Moto2 class and is
currently leading the Moto2 World Championship by 43 points.
Dani Pedrosa: "I'm very happy to be able to announce my renewal with the Repsol
Honda Team for the next two years. It's been a very long relationship
with Honda and I had a strong desire to stay here. The fight for the
Championship this year is still open and the next two seasons will be
very interesting for me. My whole career has been linked to Honda, since
I entered into the World Championship on 125cc, then in 250 and since
2006 in MotoGP. I'm perhaps one of the riders with the longest history
with Honda, which makes me feel very proud. I want to thank HRC once
again for their support; I'm sure that we have great things to do
together."
Marc Marquez: "To reach MotoGP next season with HRC is a dream come true. I want to
thank HRC for their confidence in me. I am very proud to be part of the
big Honda family for the future and I don't want to forget all people
have helped me since I began to ride in motorbikes. Now my focus is on
Moto2 where my team and I are working very hard and we are excited to
achieve our goal, which is to win the World Championship in 2012."
Shuhei Nakamoto (HRC team principal): "We are very pleased to renew our contract with Dani and welcome Marc
Marquez to the Repsol Honda Team. Dani is enjoying a very strong season
and currently fighting with Casey and Lorenzo for the Championship, we
are very pleased with his performance. Marc has already proved how fast
he is in 125 and Moto2, and we believe that, giving him the right time
to adapt to the new class, he will also be able to show his talent in
MotoGP in the future."