MotoGP confirmed on October 29 that Joan Mir and Luca Marini had both passed their pre-race medical checks at Sepang and could contest the Malaysian Grand Prix. Honda’s two regular riders are therefore able to return to the track. Round 19, the Malaysian Grand Prix, will take place at Sepang from October 30 to November 1.
Mir’s first task is to regain his riding rhythm
After retiring from the San Marino Grand Prix, Mir missed the following four Grands Prix. His last outing on a MotoGP bike was on September 13. In Honda’s earlier pre-race statement, he said he had tried riding other types of motorcycle over the past week and that doctors had cleared him to return. At the familiar Sepang circuit, his initial aim is to get back on the RC213V, reconnect with the team and assess how he actually feels.
Mir did not set a finishing-position target in Honda’s pre-race statement, focusing instead on readjusting to a race weekend. Speaking to MotoGP on October 29, he added that he had previously experienced vision problems and extreme fatigue, and had felt a marked improvement after treatment by the championship’s medical team. Although he now feels well, he still wants to use practice on October 30 to understand how his body responds.
Marini also cleared to race as he continues to assess how to manage his energy
Marini briefly took part in first practice in Australia before missing the remainder of the weekend with a viral infection. He has now also been cleared to race at Sepang. In the preparation plans Honda published earlier, he said he had been able to resume gym training, but that riding a MotoGP bike places different demands on the body. Sepang’s heat and humidity increase the physical strain, so he plans to manage his energy across the weekend, keep as much in reserve as possible for Sunday and adapt his plans to the weather.
According to the career statistics Honda published before the event, a start in the Sepang Grand Prix would be Marini’s 200th Grand Prix start across all classes. Following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix race, that milestone has moved to the subsequent rounds.
With both riders medically cleared, Honda’s line-up is now settled. The focus turns to Mir regaining his riding rhythm and Marini assessing how to manage his energy in Sepang’s conditions. Opening-day practice on October 30 will help both riders and the team understand how they actually feel on the bike after their recovery.
