Paddock whisper “floating around” Japanese MotoGP of Marc Marquez’s Honda replacement
Marquez earned a podium finish at the Japꦕanese MotoGP, his first since Australia last year, to mark a positive e𝐆nd to his manufacturer’s home grand prix.
But lurkiꦏng in the background is the uncertai🙈nty over Honda’s star rider’s future after Gigi Dall'Igna's hint that Marquez is coming to Ducati.
The whispers in th♛e paddock have turned to who Honda ♕could recruit to replace Marquez.
“That’s the million dollar question and no-one knows,”♒ Hodgson said on TNT Sports duཧring 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 confirmed 🐻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 theiꦰr🐎 factory team rather than their satellite.
“So then there’s a space in t๊he LCR team,” Hodgson continued.
“There’s talk about Iker Lecuona who has done a few wildc𝄹ards replacing Marquez this season, and done a decent job.
“He’s got 🍌a Honda co🙈ntract riding in World Superbike.
“But I’m also hearing that🎉 Jake Dixon’s name has reappeared.
“Yes, Jꦕake has got a contrac♍t to stay in Moto2. But that’s floating around.
“Will it or won’t it? Your guess is as good as min💖e.
“But Marquez is leaving Honda, definitely!”
Dixon was aꦯ consideration for a step into the premier class with Gresini Ducati earlier this summer but those rumours coolled - now, it appears, because Marquez will take t🐼hat spot.
Dixon has penned a new Moto2 de♓al in the meantime but that will likely include anജ option to move into MotoGP if a seat arises.
But Marquez must confirm his Honda ♏exit before these jigsaw pieces can fal🌱l into place.
“I’m convinced 10♑0%. At the last roꦍund I was 70-30 that he’s leaving,” Hodgson said.
“Why has he not announced? Let’s not get confused, it’s easy to be confused. He’s got a contract next season aಌt Honda.
“So we’re here in Japan. He would say ‘stop this speculation♎, of course I’m staying with the manufacturer that I’ve been with all my career and won all these titles for’.
“He’s n🃏ot announced it. Why not? There’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 Spo♓rts for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football𒈔, to F1.
