Track Report by Alberto Puig [Repsol Honda Team - Team Manager]

Could we say this was an unexpected weekend in Misano?

We approached this weekend wanting to compare this race with the first in Misano to see our progress, to walk away with this result is great. A 1-2 is never easy, even when you are in your best condition and this is not our best moment. But we have still managed to get this fantastic result. I think it’s down to a combination of factors; a big effort from our riders, the continued work from Honda, great support from Repsol and all our other sponsors and of course the hard work of our team members. We clearly showed that we will never give up or give in. This result is a great feeling, a great reward, for everyone involved in this project.

Marc won in Sachsenring and Austin, but maybe this win in Misano has even more value for him?

For Marc, this is an even more difficult period than everyone else. He is still recovering, he still has problems, he is not back to his full self yet, he knows it and we know it. This is why this victory in Misano, especially at this track, has even more value for him. What this guy is doing, nobody knows apart from him.

Pol has been struggling this year, and now he has achieved his best result ever in the premier class?

Pol Espargaro has been enduring a very difficult season where there were great expectations. We know it’s not been easy, but the positive point is that he never gives up. He is always trying to find a solution, as is his team – his group shares his never give up attitude. So finally, today was like a gift, he deserves it, but it’s also a gift for the team and for Honda because we are all helping him as much as we can. We are very happy for him and the fact he has achieved his best ever position for Honda, with his first podium in these colours, shows the potential. Now we hope his confidence continues to build and he can keep taking the bike to the limit, as he did today.

How does HRC approach the next races?

This is a winning team, and our approach is always to try and win, our goal is to fight for the title every year. The only difference is that sometimes the situation is not perfect. The last two years have not been easy for us but you won’t find a single person inside this team that wants to go to the next race to try and finish second. We will go to the next race trying to win again because this is Honda.

Fabio Quartararo aboard the Yamaha M1 is the new MotoGP World Champion.

We want to congratulate Fabio and Yamaha for their title in Misano, two races before the end of the championship. They deserve it. Fabio has been the best rider this season, he won five races, got many podiums and he really deserves it.