After the post-race MotoGP check in Valencia, Johann Zarco has been capable of give his first impressions on the 2026 Honda RC213V.
Though his kind dipped in the midst of 2025, Zarco ended the season as Honda’s solely MotoGP winner over the last marketing campaign, due to his French Grand Prix triumph within the rain at Le Mans.
The 2026 bike is one for the time being that continues to be, as will be anticipated at this stage, a piece in progress, however one that’s in a great place.
“It appears that evidently this bike is working effectively,” Johann Zarco stated after the check in Valencia.
“Not any very dangerous factors, however not any super-positive factors, both.
“We are able to recognise the DNA of Honda loads on it, and we could have I believe an aero evolution in Malaysia.
“However the bike we have now now might be very related after we restart the check in Malaysia.”
The important thing challenge of grip is one thing that the brand new bike appears to supply some options to.
“We all the time complain about grip on a regular basis, with this one there are some areas the place you’re feeling extra grip,” the LCR Honda rider stated.
“[But] I didn’t really feel that this grip helps to enhance loads the efficiency.
“However perhaps now, having the bike that may create this grip, perhaps we have to discover a totally different steadiness on the bike – additionally the driving – to make use of in addition to doable this evolution.”
Zarco added that it will likely be necessary to choose a base bike shortly in 2026 to have the ability to work on the main points of the setup.
“I don’t count on any massive issues, and I believe the aero will make an enormous distinction after we could have it,” he stated.
“However I really feel we have now a great potential, however then it’s tough to seek out the precise steadiness.
“As soon as we could have the identical bikes within the storage for a lot of races, at that time we could have the chance to play and perceive the setup.”
