MotoGP pundit claims despite Honda having cash, signing Marc Marquez’s replacement is going nowhere

Neil Hodgson, former WorldSBK rider and journalist, thinks Honda’s worries of replacing Marc Marquez will extend beyond money.

MotoGP pundit claims despite Honda having cash, signing Marc Marquez’s replacement is going nowhere

Marc Marquez (via Wallpaper.net)

Marc Marquez’s Honda departure has been all over the headlines. Multiple reports suggest that Honda is trying to onboard a current Aprilia Rider for the 2024 Repsol seat. Neil Hodgson, a former WorldSBK rider and now Journalist, has claimed that despite Honda possessing loads of money, they will struggle to find a rider for their factory seat.

Hodgson was asked about one of Honda’s interests – Miguel Oliveira and his chances to ride at the Repsol garage in 2024. The Former Ducati rider commented [as reported by Crash.net], “It sounds complicated, He [Oliveira] has a contract with a factory, you can still get out of that contract but it will cost money”. He later highlighted how Honda will be earning a lot already from Marquez’s deal with the Gresini Team.

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The deal, when coupled with the ‘early-cancellation’ free charge to Marc Marquez for termination of the current contract one year before completion, will leave no cash shortage at Honda. Hodgson claimed that Honda has still slipped out on singing Oliveira. He said, “Honda now have saved a lot of money! There will be a fine, as well, [for Marquez] to not go through with the contract. So not only are you not paying Marc whatever that figure is, [maybe £15m], there’s a fine on top of that.”

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Alex Marquez claims Marc Marquez will retire at the end of 2024 if the Ducati move doesn’t work

Marc Marquez’s move to the Gresini Garage is one of the most anticipated transfers in MotoGP history. Many await the next season to see the 8-time World Champion on a different bike than his Repsol Honda for the first time since his premiere class debut in 2013. Moreover, the Marquez brothers are slated for a reunion as teammates (as they were at Honda in 2020) at the Gresini garage.

Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez (via imago)
Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez (via imago)

Marc’s younger brother Alex has claimed that the 8-time World Champion is considering retirement in case of a certain scenario. Alex Marquez has claimed that his older sibling is treating the next season as a test for his skill and passion for the sport, that he will reassess his will to compete in the championship based on next year’s fortunes. While speaking to Autosport.com, Alex Marquez revealed, “He is really [open] to me, and he says ‘ok, if I don’t enjoy I will retire.’ It’s like this.”

All eyes will be on the number 93 stuck on the front of the Ducati as the world will witness Marc Marquez evaluate his race craft. The Honda rider’s past 3 years have been marred by injuries and one horror crash after the other as all his fans await to see the 30-year-old challenging for wins yet again. It will be seen next season how Marquez fares on the Ducati

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