BRADL TO REPLACE MARQUEZ IN ARGENTINA
Honda Test Rider Stefan Bradl will suit up for this weekend’s MotoGP World Championship round in Argentina, replacing Marc Marquez who has failed to sufficiently recover from his bout of Diplopia (double vision).
Marquez has a lengthy history with the ailment, his latest episode triggered by a horrifying highside at the Grand Prix of Indonesia.
The eight-time World Champion has since attempted a rapid recovery but ultimately wasn’t declared fit to start this weekend.
His 32-year-old German replacement is familiar with the new Honda RC213V having completed multiple tests with the bike already in 2022.
Bradl made five starts last year in MotoGP, with a best finish of 11th, and has held the role as Honda Test Rider since 2019.
“The most important thing is sending my best to Marc and hoping that he recovers quickly,” Bradl said.
“Until then, I will do my best for Honda HRC and the Repsol Honda Team in his place. I have already done a few tests this year so I am familiar with the new Honda RC213V but of course coming into a MotoGP weekend is a different situation.
“I have some good memories of Argentina; I was fifth there in 2014 and seventh there when I last raced in Termas in 2016. We will work with the team to define the plan for the weekend, I have no doubt it will be a busy one.”
Bradl joins Pol Espargaro, who currently sits 10 points behind standings leader Enea Bastianini. Espargaro has led 17 laps this season and claimed a podium in the opening race.
The Spaniard has never finished outside of the points in Argentina, with a career best result of sixth in the nation.
“I am looking forward to getting our season back on the right line after a difficult weekend in Indonesia, what has happened is in the past and now we focus on the future.
“We are close to the top of the championship and the objective is to put together a weekend like in Qatar.
“I have had some consistent results in Argentina in the past and we know what the Honda this year can do. It’s time to keep working and show our potential.”
The last time MotoGP visited Argentina and the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit was 2019, making this round a long-awaited return to the country.
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