SuperBike Magazine June 2020

12
NEWS
ALBERTO PUIG
ADDRESSES POL
ESPARGARO TO
HRC RUMOURS
Current Red Bull KTM Factory
Racing star Pol Espargaro has
been at the height of MotoGP’s
‘silly season’ contract speculation in
the last 24 hours. Some media outlets
– including Sky Sport Italia, Autosport
and Motorsport – have suggested a deal
between Pol Espargaro and HRC for
2021 is pretty much a done deal.
It would be a shock move considering
the MotoGP riders haven’t raced in
2020 yet, and it would be an announcement
that would spark a whole host of
questions as to where other riders will
end up at the end of the 2020 campaign.
However, Repsol Honda Team Manager
Alberto Puig has denied that Espargaro
– or anyone apart from Marc Marquez
– has put pen to paper with Honda past
this season yet.
“HRC is always thinking about the
present and the future of its structure,
from the lower categories to MotoGP,”
commented Puig. “Due to the circumstances
that we are in, this season
is not developing through the usual
channels, but that does not mean that
Honda stops continuing to plan the
best possible future for all their riders.
We do not have any contracts signed
with anyone that have not already been
announced.”
Speaking with motogp.com, LCR
Honda Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello
said HRC is in talks with both of his current
riders, Cal Crutchlow and Takaaki
Nakagami, about renewing for 2021. And
what about Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda
Team)? The Pol Espargaro rumours
have certainly raised a few eyebrows
and it could be a switch that creates a
whirlwind of moves.
However, motogp.com understands
that nothing is signed yet, as MotoGP
fans eagerly await some official confirmation
regarding who HRC will sign
up to be Marc Marquez’ teammate next
season.