Honda claims that the “winning rider” will soon crave MotoGP bikes.
The unexpected situation surrounding Jorge Martin, who was reportedly hoping to quit Aprilia in 2026, focused on Honda.
According to Sky Italia, Honda seats at the factory are Martin’s preference for the surprising move that no one came.
The once-fighting Japanese manufacturers have struggled for several years to restore the glory days of Mark Marquez’s dignity.
However, their progress in the early rounds of 2025 hints at greater things going forward.
Honda claims that “Victory Rider” wants to participate
Alberto Puig
Team boss Alberto Puig told El Periodico that the team’s rise is “not a dream” as it returns to the top.
He said before the French MotoGP: “We’re back and improving.
“We set up a division in Italy with European engineers. Honda Japan has been rebuilt.
“The relationship between factories, Europe and the circuits is fluid and we are working hard to get competitive bikes again.
“Don’t forget that we are Honda and Honda is coming back, when Yamaha is coming back.
“And when Honda comes back, when Honda has the winning bike, the winning riders will want to ride it, and we’ll want to hire them.
“We want that now, but everything takes time. How long does it take? I don’t know, but we’re coming back, yes.”
After Puig’s declaration, the French MotoGP was won brilliantly by LCR satellite rider Johann Zarco.
This was a big statement and reward for the manufacturer’s clear progress this season.
Zarco is the top non-Ducati rider, ranked 6th overall in MotoGP.
Zarco and current incumbent Luca Marini claim to be talking to Honda about the 2026 factory contract.
However, shocking news from Aprilia’s garage about Martin’s future has cast doubt on the entire rider market.
The 2026 MotoGP rider lineup includes several vacant bikes, including Honda factory seats.
If Martin follows the claims that he will leave Aprilia, he will become a market-acclaimed asset as the ruler MotoGP champion.
It gives Honda a headache about whether they can get his services and whether they want to sign him up in place of their alternative options: Zarco, Marini, and reportedly, Toprak Razgatlioglu.
