Honda’s Kalex chassis reportedly “a meeting point” between Marc Marquez and Joan Mir’s desires

[weeksy]

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10240 ... -s-desires

Marc Marquez may not get everything exactly as he wanted with the new Kalex chassis coming to Honda.

Rather than a design to tailor the RC 213V to their star rider’s extreme preferences, Honda will reportedly also factor in the riding styles of Joan Mir and Alex Rins.

The new chassis is “the meeting point” between Marquez’s desires and the two ex-Suzuki riders hopes, according to Men On Wheels.

Honda asked Kalex to collaborate on a new chassis to “minimise reaction times”, the report says, which should be music to Marquez’s ears.

He has been bemoaning how his Japanese manufacturer has fallen behind European rivals in Ducati and Aprilia, but the input from Germany company Kalex might bridge that gap.

The new chassis has been tested by Stefan Bradl, Honda’s test rider, at a two-day private test in Jerez this week.

It is ready for feedback at this weekend’s MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas, the third round of 2023.

Mir, who missed the second round in Argentina due to injury, will return for COTA. Marquez will be replaced by Bradl.

It will be a fascinating subplot to the weekend to see how Honda approach the two races.

Without their main rider, will they race flat-out or use Bradl to gather feedback on their latest chassis, in advance of Marquez’s comeback?

Marquez hopes to be back for the fourth round, in Jerez, where Bradl has already tested the Kalex chassis.

The final decision on his double long lap penalty, for the crash into Oliveira in Portimao, is still pending after Honda appealed a rewording of the rule.

[Skub]

Where Marquez is concerned,this could be the last chance for Honda to give him a title challenging bike. If they give him another camel,I reckon he'll jump the sinking ship.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Jump ship or thrown off?

[ChrisW]

Bradl's apparently claimed that the new chassis wasn't tested and won;t be available until June..?

https://www.gpone.com/en/2023/04/13/mot ... tests.html

Stefan was also asked a question about the new chassis.

"I didn't see any Kalex chassis - replied Bradl with a smile - The one I used was
aluminium coloured and I didn't notice a different shape compared to the
previous ones".

It's hard to say if the tester was telling a little lie, even if it seems that HRC wants
to check the new chassis first in Japan and then hand it over to the riders. When?
The next official test (not reserved only for testers, but for all riders) is
scheduled for Jerez on May 1st, the Monday after the Spanish GP.

"I have no information, but that will be the next test" the German wasn't saying
too much.

[Skub]

Jump ship or thrown off?

Jump,I'd say.

Who would they sign that will ride the Homda faster?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Jump ship or thrown off?

Jump,I'd say.

Who would they sign that will ride the Homda faster?

Would Ducati want him?

[Skub]

Jump ship or thrown off?

Jump,I'd say.

Who would they sign that will ride the Homda faster?

Would Ducati want him?

Difficult one.

Ducati currently have the best package and thus the pick of riders,so they're not in a corner and 'needing' a Mark Marquez. Having said that,MM is widely regarded as being one of the most gifted riders out there,so given the right contract,who wouldn't want to sign him?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

He may be gifted, but he hasn't had good results for the last 3 seasons, IMO he's lost the ability to ride right on the edge without crashing, but that's just my opinion, I don't care if other people agree with it or not before we have a game of ming mong, ping pong about it.

[Scud]

Why would Ducati pay his wage demands when they’re doing fine without him?
I’d guess ktm or Aprilia will be very interested

[mangocrazy]

Marc doesn't want a Honda that is comparatively easier to ride, he wants one that suits him and his riding style. When Marquez was in his pomp and winning WCs for fun, it was a no-brainer - give Marc what he wants and to hell with the other Honda riders. Now that time, injuries and intimations of mortality have caught up with Marc, Honda are (wisely) hedging their bets, I think.