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# No Repsol Hondas in Valencian GP as Espargaro withdraws
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/motogp/no-repsol-hondas-in-valencian-gp-as-espargaro-withdraws/
- Published: 2021-11-14T08:45:14.000Z
- Updated: 2023-09-16T15:34:04.000Z
- Description: Honda rider Pol Espargaro has been forced to sit out the MotoGP season finale at Valencia, instead focusing on post-season testing
- Author: Simon Patterson
- Tags: MotoGP, #image-top-right

Today’s final race of the 2021 MotoGP season will be the first round of the championship since Assen in 1992 to start without a factory Honda on the grid, with Repsol Honda rider Pol Espargaro confirmed as a non-starter for the Valencian Grand Prix and joining team-mate Marc Marquez on the injury list.

The Spaniard fell heavily at Turn 13 during Saturday morning’s free practice three session, sustaining multiple injuries that required a trip to hospital for further examination.

> High speed crash for [@polespargaro](https://twitter.com/polespargaro?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) at Turn 13 😲
> 
> Thankfully the Spaniard is conscious 💢[#ValenciaGP](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValenciaGP?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) 🏁 [pic.twitter.com/GBSHayvrdT](https://t.co/GBSHayvrdT?ref=the-race.com)
> 
> — MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) [November 13, 2021](https://twitter.com/MotoGP/status/1459453348193701888?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com)

Unable to take to the track in the afternoon’s qualifying sessions, he initially planned to attempt to ride, as he said in a brief press statement issued by the team afterwards.

“Unfortunately today I had a very big crash during FP3 at Turn 13,” he explained.

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2021/11/946091-300x200.jpg)](https://www.the-race.com/motogp/honda-motogp-boss-gives-update-on-delicate-marquez-eye-problem/)

Honda MotoGP boss gives update on ‘delicate’ Marquez eye problem

[Read more](https://www.the-race.com/motogp/honda-motogp-boss-gives-update-on-delicate-marquez-eye-problem/)

“The impact was very hard but fortunately I have no serious injuries and nothing appeared broken in the tests we did at the hospital.

“At the moment I have a lot of pain from around my ribs when I breathe, this is what hurts most.

“I’m really disappointed because we had great speed and I was feeling really confident. I’m sorry for my team.

“Tonight we will rest, take painkillers and see what the situation is in the morning.”

![Pol Espargaro Honda MotoGP Valencia](https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2021/11/951260-1024x683.jpg)

However, it was confirmed on Sunday morning that he will not take part in the race, with the team electing to instead concentrate on the post-season Jerez test later in the week – a crucial test that team-mate Marquez will miss following eyesight complications from an injury suffered while training earlier this month.

Whether Espargaro makes the two-day test, which starts on Thursday, remains to be seen – but despite doctors admitting that he was “confused” following the heavy fall, it’s unlikely that he will be kept from trialling Honda’s much-revised 2022-spec RC213V if the pain subsides sufficiently.

But his Sunday withdrawal means that the Valencian GP will mark the first time ever that a premier-class grand prix race will start without a Repsol Honda since they started their long-term partnership in 1995 – and the first time that no factory Honda bike has been on the grid since both Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan failed to line up for the 1992 Dutch TT.