MotoGP French GP: Marc Marquez to test Honda Kalex Chassis at Le Mans

Honda has had a terrible few years, and the 2023 season has been no different so far, despite LCR's Alex Rins breaking its winless streak stretching back to 2021 at the Americas GP in April. Honda has been collaborating with German chassis maker Kalex on bike development since the end of last season and this partnership has matured into a whole chassis, which HRC test rider Stefan Bradl unveiled during the post-Spanish GP test in Jerez earlier this month. Marc Marquez, a six-time world champion, missed this test because he was still recovering from a broken thumb he suffered in the season's first grand prix in Portugal. Honda published a statement on Wednesday claiming the Spaniard was healthy enough to ride again after doctors suggested he forgo the Spanish GP to safeguard his damaged thumb.

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Honda Kalex Chassis

Prior to the debut of the Honda Kalex Chassis at the Jerez Test, it had long been speculated that Kalex was working on a new generation of the RC213V to increase the options for the Japanese company in its quest to turn its fortunes, marking a significant shift in philosophy for Honda, which has traditionally preferred to keep motorcycle design in-house. Bradl gave the new chassis favourable feedback during the Jerez test, albeit the German didn't perform many laps on it after crashing while utilising the new frame.

Joan Mir, a factory Honda rider, was scheduled to complete several laps on the new frame at the Jerez test, but his RC213V developed an electrical problem and caused him to halt. Mir later said that the chassis felt different on his outlap, but he couldn't elaborate. 

MotoGP Court of Appeal's Verdict on Marc Marquez

After missing the Termas round owing to a thumb fracture suffered in the crash, the FIM Stewards moved the implementation of the sentence to Marquez's next grand prix race. Repsol Honda opposed the 'modification' since a signed and sealed penalty cannot be changed.

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As expected, the MotoGP Court of Appeal agreed with the team and "annulled the Application of the Sanction," suggesting that Marquez's ban will not extend outside of Argentina.

According to the judgement, Marc Marquez's Double Long Lap Penalty from the 2023 MotoGP Race of Portugal on March 26 has been satisfied since he did not race in the 2023 MotoGP Race of Argentina.

As a result, Marc Marquez has been approved to compete in the following event at France's Le Mans without further penalties.