Marc Marquez will make his long-awaited step-up to the MotoGP class in 2013 after being confirmed alongside Dani Pedrosa at Repsol Honda. The Grand Prix Commission announced at Assen that the rule banning rookies from racing from factory teams would be abolished, opening the door for Marquez to join the works Honda team on a two year deal.
The current Moto2 championship leader has described it as a lifelong dream to secure this ride and is now able to turn his focus to clinching the title.
“To reach MotoGP next season with Repsol Honda is a dream come true and I want to thank HRC for their confidence in me. I am very proud to be a part of the big Honda family for the future and I don't want to forget all the people have helped me since I began to ride motorbikes. Now my focus is on Moto2 where my team and I are working very hard and we are excited to achieve our goal, which is to win the World Championship in 2012.”
Pedrosa has also signed for the next two seasons, extending his association with Repsol Honda to nine years, something that makes the 26 year old immensely proud.
“I’m very happy to be able to announce my renewal with the Repsol Honda Team for the next two years. It’s been a very long relationship with Honda and I had a strong desire to stay here. The fight for the Championship this year is still open and the next two seasons will be very interesting for me. My whole career has been linked to Honda, since I entered into the World Championship in 125cc, then in 250cc and since 2006 in MotoGP. I’m perhaps one of the riders with the longest history with Honda, which makes me feel very proud. I want to thank HRC once again for their support; I’m sure that we have great things to do together”.
HRC Executive Vice-President Shuhei Nakamoto is delighted to confirm the all-Spanish line-up and is particularly excited to see how Marquez fares in the premier class.
“We are very pleased to renew our contract with Dani and welcome Marc to the Repsol Honda Team. Dani is enjoying a very strong season and currently fighting with Casey and Lorenzo for the Championship, we are very pleased with his performance. Marc has already proved how fast he is in 125cc and Moto2, and we believe that, giving him the right time to adapt to the new class, he will also be able to show this in MotoGP in the future”.
