Paddock whisper “floating around” Japanese MotoGP of Marc Marquez’s Honda replacement
Marquez earned a podium finish at the Japanese MotoGP, his first since Australia last year, to mark a positive end to his manufac⭕turer’s home grand prix.
But lurking in the background is the💯 uncertainty over Honda’s star rider’s future after Gigi Dall'Igna's hint that Marquez is coming to Ducati.
The whispers in the paddock have turned to who Honda♔ could recruit to replace Marqu꧋ez.
“That’s the million dollar question and no-on𒅌e knows,” Hodgson ౠsaid on TNT Sports during the Japanese MotoGP.
“Thinking logically an experienced rider🌊 like Johann Zarco, who has signed to join the LCR team, would be put in the factory team as a factory rider to do the development and testing.”
Zarco has already conf♓irmed that he will swap Pramac Ducati for LCR Honda next season as a replacement for Alex Rins who is heading 💦to Yamaha.
But Honda could theoretically use Zarco in th🍸eir factory teꦚam rather than their satellite.
“So then the💖re’s a space in the LCR team,” Hodgson continued.
“There’s talk about Iker Lecuona who has done a few wildcards replacing Marquez this season, a🥃nd done a decent j✱ob.
“He’s got a Honda contract riding in World Sဣuperbi꧂ke.
“But I’m also hearing t🔥hat Jake Dixon’s name has reappeared.
“Yes, Jake has got a contr🌠act to stay in Moto2. But that’s floating around.
“Will꧙ it or won’t it? Your guess is as good as mine.
“But Marquez is leaving Honda, definitely!”
Dixon was a consideration for a step into the premier class with Gresini Ducati earlier this summer but those rumour🅷s coolled - now, it appears, because Marquez will take that spot.
Dixon has penned a new Moto2 deal in the🎶 meantime but that will likely include an option to move into MotoGP if a seat arises.
But Marquez must confirm hi✱s Honda exit before these jigsaw pieces can fall into place.
“I’m convi🐭nced 100%. At the last round I was 70-30 that he’s leaving,” Ho🌊dgson said.
“Why has he not announced? Let’s not get💟 confused, it’s easy to 🐽be confused. He’s got a contract next season at Honda.
“So we’re here in Japan. He would say ‘stop this speculation, of ꦚcourse I’m staying with the manufacturer that I’ve been with all my car💫eer and won all these titles for’.
“He’s not announced it. Why not? The🐈re’s a clear reason why not. Because he’s leaving and he’s going to ride a Ducati next year.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to footbalꦚl, to F1.
