【2021 End Of Season Review】Marc Marquez Back From Injury Takes Three Wins, Seventh Overall

The younger Marquez moved to LCR Honda CASTROL while Takaaki Nakagami continued to race with the LCR Honda IDEMITSU team.

Marc Marquez wins first GP in two years

In the opening round in Qatar, Espargaro scored championship points his debut race for the Repsol Honda Team by finishing eighth, while Marc Marquez decided to sit out the first two rounds and concentrate on his rehabilitation. Marquez was back in Round 3, Portugal, where he started sixth to finish seventh. Considering he had three operations in nine months, this was an impressive comeback.

In Round 4, Spain, Nakagami equalled his personal best by finishing fourth. In the following round in France, Marc Marquez crashed and retired, but Alex had a powerful ride to sixth place. Rounds 6 and 7 were tough for the Hondas, but Espargaro, Najagami and Alex all managed to earn championship points nonetheless. Round 8 returned to Germany after being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Marc Marquez, who had won at Sachsenring for ten years straight, started fifth to take the lead by the end of Lap 1, and went on to win. This was the Spaniard’s first victory since the final round in Valencia, two years.

Marc Marquez’s comeback victory in Round 8, Germany

At Round 9, the Dutch GP which marked the season’s halfway point, all Honda riders finished within the points. Round 10, the Grand Prix of Styria followed the summer break. All Honda riders were within a second of each other in Q2, but Marc Marquez managed to qualify eighth, and maintained his position in the race. Qualifying was hectic, as two bikes went ablaze after a pileup. Nakagami started tenth, and after steadily moving through the field, crossed the finish line in fifth place.

Two straight wins signal Marc Marquez’s return to form

In Round 12, the British Grand Prix, Espargaro took his first pole position since joining the team, and commanded the first half of the race. Round 13, Aragon was a counterclockwise track, similar to the Sachsenring where Honda won its first race of the season. Marc Marquez was favorite to win his fifth consecutive Aragon GP. Starting fourth on the grid, Marquez managed to cross the line runner-up after a fierce battle, signalling he was back in form. This year’s Aragon was also significant, as it marked Nakagami’s 200th grand prix.

Marc Marquez continued to find his true form in Round 14, San Marino where he finished fourth, followed by Round 15, the Grand Prix of the Americas. Starting from the front row of one of his favorite circuits, the Circuit of the Americas where he has won six times, Marquez outpaced the entire field to take his second victory of the season, his first in dry conditions. Marquez followed up his victory in the US by winning Round 16, the Emilia Romagna GP from seventh on the grid. Teammate Espargaro also finished second, giving Honda the top two spots on the podium.

2021 closes with former Honda rider retiring

Before Round 17, the Algarve GP, Marc Marquez suffered concussion following a crash during motocross training. After consulting with his physician, Marquez decided to err on the side of caution, and return once he had completely recovered. His brother Alex had a strong start from seventh on the grid to finish fourth, his best result for the season. In Round 18, Valencia, Alex crossed the line in 13th to finish his season. Valencia was also the final race for Valentino Rossi, a former HRC rider from 2001 to 2003 who was worlc champion in each of these years.

Marc Marquez finished the 2021 season in seventh. Espargaro was 12th, Nakagami 15th and Alex Marquez 16th.

Race Report

Rd.01 Qatar GP Espargaro finishes Honda debut a very close eighth

Rd.02 Doha GP Honda riders believe much better is to come in 2021

Rd.03 Portugal GP Honda heroes show real class at Portuguese GP

Rd.04 Spain GP Nakagami just 0.690 seconds off Jerez podium

Rd.05 France GP Two Tumbles Spoil Marc Marquez’s Podium Hopes

Rd.06 Italia GP Honda Riders Endure Tough Day At Mugello

Rd.07 Catalunya GP Marquez’s Best Ride of 2021 Ends With Tumble

Rd.08 German GP Miracle Man Marquez Scores First Comeback Victory

Rd.09 Dutch GP Brave Marquez Goes From 20th To Seventh At Assen

Rd.10 Styria GP Nakagami Rides Strong Race to Fifth at Red Bull Ring

Rd.11 Austrian GP Marquez Battles For Victory At Austrian Grand Prix

Rd.12 British GP Espargaro Battles For First Honda Podium, Finishes Fifth

Rd.13 Aragon GP Marquez Takes Brilliant Second Place in Aragon Thriller

Rd.14 San Marino GP Marquez Fights to Fourth In Misano Thriller

Rd.15 Americas GP Marquez Rides to Majestic Second Win of 2021

Rd.16 Emilia Romagna GP Marquez And Espargaro Score Superb Honda One-Two

Rd.17 Algarve GP Alex Marquez Battles For Podium Finish in Algarve GP

Rd.18 Valenciana GP Honda Riders Out Of Luck At 2021 MotoGP Finale