Honda allow Marc Marquez to make Ducati debut at Valencia

Seatoday.com, Jakarta Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig confirmed that Honda will not hinder Marc Marquez's Gresini Racing debut in the post-season Valencia Test. Puig stated that this is crucial for all riders when they are changing teams and that the process must continue as usual. Marquez will be racing with a Ducati at Circuit Ricardo Tormo on November 28th. Puig also discussed rumors surrounding who will replace the eight-time World Champion in the Repsol Honda ranks for 2024. Puig acknowledged that there are not many possibilities due to all riders having contracts, but he said they are having two or three discussions at the same time.

Puig – understandably – kept his cards close to his chest when asked about who the other options were for the Japanese giants. What we do know is that with just four rounds remaining in 2023, including the Thai GP, Honda will want to sort this predicament out as soon as possible. Time will tell about who partners Joan Mir in Repsol Honda colours next season.

Pole position at the OR Thailand Grand Prix went the way of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) after the Turkish rider put down an impressive 1:42.061. The KTM Ajo rider already took the all-time lap record in Practice and was just a tenth shy of it in Q2 which was just enough to clinch pole. Diogo Moriera (MT Helmets - MSI) will line up alongside the Turk as the young Brazilian missed out pole by just 0.057s to finish in P2. Rounding out the front row will be Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) whose lap time was just 0.001s shy of Moreira. You can bet the Japanese rider will be in the mix during the Grand Prix as he took 3rd with his title rival Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) down in P7.