Alex Marquez | Photo credits: Honda Racing Corporation
The Repsol Honda Team has converted their success on track to success in the virtual world as MotoGP rookie Alex Marquez has just claimed his stellar first win of 2020 with brother and teammate Marc Marquez coming in fifth.
The MotoGP season could not begin on track due to the outbreak of Covid-19, which has caused health and safety concerns throughout the world. Despite that, the show must go on by hosting the first-ever #StayAtHomeGP. Accordingly, this would lighten up the viewers who are in isolation at home and the racers too. The lights went out at the Mugello circuit and with six laps to finish, riders endured a more condensed event format than a typical GP. This time, riders had little time to refine their setting.
Photo credits: HRC
Riding for his first-ever MotoGP race, Alex Marquez managed to stick to his pre-race plan and made history with his victory aboard the Repsol Honda Team RC213V in his eSports debut. A massive seven-second lead stamped his authority on the field.
Marc Marquez, on the other hand, put in a strong and consistent ride to secure fifth place in his debut eSports race. The defending World Champion demonstrated impressive riding skills in both the real and virtual worlds. A strong start saw Marc in podium contention as he looked to match the pace of his teammate in the early laps.
The result sees the Repsol Honda Team become the first official MotoGP team to win races in both the real and virtual worlds.
Photo credits: HRC
“Fantastic! What a result! It was a really funny event with all of the other riders and I am really pleased to win my first race! I found a good setting with the RC213V which let me race how I wanted to and I knew I had a few different lines for when I needed. Even at just six laps you really needed to stay focused because with one small mistake it can go very wrong. I enjoyed it a lot and I hope everyone who watched also had a good time. Let’s hope that everyone continues to follow the advice of the doctors and scientists so that we can return to a more normal life, seeing friends and family, enjoying the outside and going racing,” says Alex as quoted from Honda Racing Corporation.
Photo credits: HRC
“First of all congratulations to Alex on the win, I knew from our time playing together he would be very fast but he did a great job. Of course, I would have liked better than fifth, but the result isn’t too bad and as a team we did well. You need a different style in these kinds of races so I had to adapt my strategy a little bit during the day. A good time and I am really happy to be able to do something for the fans. Now we want to be riding and battling back on track, because it means the world is in a better situation, but first we have to win the battle with the Corona Virus. Stay safe everyone!”
Photo credits: MotoGP