Honda boss to skip Americas MotoGP to continue season on sideline

The Honda MotoGP group supervisor Alberto Puig is ready to skip a 3rd successive grand prix as he will likely be absent from Austin this weekend.

Puig is recovering from one other surgical procedure on his left leg, which had already induced him to overlook the primary two occasions of the season in Thailand and Argentina.

The previous racer has spent greater than three a long time coping with the ache in his left leg, which finally pressured him to retire from aggressive motorcycling in 1997. The issues started with an accident in the course of the 1995 French Grand Prix at Le Mans. 

Since then, solely these closest to him are possible conscious of the overall variety of surgical procedures he has undergone on that leg. The latest operation came about the week earlier than the Thailand opener at the beginning of March.

Puig doesn’t like being the centre of consideration. He prefers the highlight to be on the riders and Honda, the corporate for which he has labored for nearly his total life. First, as a rider – successful a 500cc race in Jerez (1995) and securing 5 podium finishes – then as a mentor for younger abilities, and now because the group supervisor for Honda’s manufacturing facility outfit.

For the Tokyo-based firm, Puig was the central determine in a single episode of Behind the Goals, a sequence Honda produced two years in the past. In that episode, the Spaniard recounts all that he has endured over the previous 30 years, and the way he has needed to stay with ache virtually completely.

“The leg is there, however I’ve little sensation or motion,” mentioned Puig. “The recollections of what occurred are horrible – a lot ache and so many surgical procedures through the years. It has been tough ever since.” 

He has not met with the manufacturing facility group for the reason that final pre-season take a look at at Buriram, 15 days earlier than the season began.

Regardless of this, the Catalan stays in fixed contact along with his group members, who preserve him up to date on Honda’s progress.

Mentioned progress which is encouraging, as its 2025 kind signifies {that a} restoration could lastly be on the horizon.

Puig joins two injured riders – reigning world champion Jorge Martin and his fellow Aprilia rider Miguel Oliveira – on the sidelines in Texas. Martin injured himself in pre-season coaching whereas Oliveira was concerned in a heavy accident within the Argentina Grand Prix dash race.