Repsol Honda confirms Marquez, Espargaro team launch date

Repsol Honda has confirmed that its 2021 online MotoGP team launch, featuring six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez and new team-mate Pol Espargaro, will be held on February 22 at 12:00 CET.

While few changes to the familiar Repsol livery are expected, the event is sure to see Marquez provide some form of update on his complicated recovery from a broken right arm.

The Spaniard has been sidelined since last July, initially fracturing his arm when he highsided and was hit by his bike in the closing stages of the Jerez season-opener, then breaking the original titanium plate used to secure the bone.

When his arm failed to heal, a third operation was undertaken last December, including a bone graft, which also revealed the presence of infection. The most recent update said that Marquez continues to undergo antibiotic treatment.

Doubts remain about when the #93 will return to his RC213V, with speculation that test rider Stefan Bradl (or even Andrea Dovizioso) will again step in for the Qatar tests in March.

New signing Espargaro, a title rival of Marquez in the smaller grand prix classes, arrives at Repsol Honda after spending four seasons at KTM, culminating in five podiums and fifth in last year's world championship.

With last year's delayed calendar and ongoing Covid restrictions ruling out the usual post-season tests, Espargaro is yet to ride an RCV.