HONDA
There was no dressing up how tough 2022 was for Honda . Marquez and new team-mate Joan Mir were , therefore , entitled to expect big changes in preseason . Both were disappointed . HRC brought a new engine , which had a higher top speed than what it used in ’ 22 . But the RC213V ’ s major deficits remain , with Marquez complaining he still feels far from comfortable when braking to enter the corner . And they remain miles off Ducati on corner exit . Positives included new Technical Manager Ken Kawauchi , formerly of Suzuki , bringing a better organization to affairs than before . Marquez also spoke of his physical condition being greatly improved compared to the previous five preseasons . But Honda appear as far from the top as they were in the autumn of last year . The recent injuries suffered by Marquez , Mir and Alex Rins demonstrate how perilous it is currently to take the ’ 23 RC213V to its limits .
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