The Moto3 class sees rival manufacturers field entries with strictly controlled 250cc four-stroke engines, and again the new Honda RS250FW made a brilliant debut at Qatar, claiming two out of three rostrum places with another Honda fifth, in a race so close that only a photo-finish could establish the final order.
Best of the Honda riders was Mark Marquez‰Ûªs younger brother Alex riding for the, Estrella Galicia 0,0 team, now in his second full season, who finished second behind race winner Jack Miller (KTM). Saxoprint-RTG Honda rider Efren Vazquez was third. Marquez‰Ûªs team-mate Alex Rins ‰ÛÒ winner at Austin last year ‰ÛÒ was fifth. All three are new to Honda this year.
‰ÛÏLast year we struggled a bit at this circuit." Marqez admitted. "We weren‰Ûªt happy with the set-up, and I did not feel very comfortable. This year I hope it will be better on the Honda, though I will have to be concentrated as much as possible and give my best in every practice session.
"The fact that we were second in Qatar further motivates us to work hard. It is a fast circuit, and also needs good acceleration. I think our new bike can adapt quite well, and be a favourable circuit for us," he added.
Last year‰Ûªs inaugural Moto3 race in Texas was red-flagged after an accident, and re-run as a hectic five-lap sprint. Rins was the winner of the first leg, and took victory by two tenths of a second in the restart.
Top Image: Alex Marquez Leads Honda Moto3 Riders To The Americas
Credit: Honda Racing
