Before riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Márquez and the new-liveried bike took to the stage, HRC Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto explained that the bike was not a radical redesign, but a continual evolution from last season. With a 3kg weight increase to cope with, Nakamoto commented that the team had had ample time to prepare the machine for this season, sighting that the main differences are a bit more power, as well as better fuel efficiency. Yet the bike is still based on the model that was brought in for the Laguna Seca round last year for Pedrosa.
The event, which saw many familiar faces from the MotoGP paddock such as Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Alberto Puig and Emilio Alzamora, was witness to the bike’s new colour scheme, which has veered away somewhat from the typical Repsol scheme that has been present over the years. With more red and white tones, it still retains the title sponsor’s feel, albeit with a new approach. Márquez commented the machine was “muy bonita” (very beautiful), whilst Pedrosa, who has been on the bike since 2006, said it was refreshing to see a new paint job.
Nakamoto told those present that he expects Pedrosa to continue his blistering form from the end of last year and challenge for the title, whilst saying that with Márquez’s talent he expects the rookie to be on the podium. He acknowledged that Márquez was very quick over one lap, yet sighted tyre management as the main thing he will have to pick up.
A slight change in the team’s management structure has also occurred, with Livio Suppo having been announced as new Team Principal.
