Aleix Espargaro has revealed where the 2026 Honda RC213V has been improved compared to the 2025 bike.
Honda's MotoGP Test Rider has had a busy two months as he arrived at the final round of the 2025 MotoGP season with the 2026 RC213V.
After shaking the bike down at MotorLand Aragon, Aleix Espargaro competed in the Valencia Grand Prix with Honda's 2026 MotoGP bike, which will be handed over to Joan Mir and Luca Marini on Tuesday at the post-season test.
After Practice on Friday at the Valencia Grand Prix, Espargaro was asked about his recent testing duties.
"In the last two months, I’ve been testing a lot. We've been four times in Malaysia! Then also Aragon," Espargaro revealed.
"So I’ve got used more to the bike and definitely this ‘26 bike is to me a lot better than the bike I rode for the first time in Malaysia.
"This is not the limit of the bike. I push, but in the hard braking, the acceleration, the mid-corner I have margin - or the bike has margin!
"The bike can go faster, so I think this is a good sign."
The Spaniard was asked about where the 2026 Honda RC213V has improved compared to the 2025 version:
"More stable, that's for sure. We have improved the torque a lot since the beginning of the season. You can see that the top speed, we are basically one of the fastest bikes right now.
"And the aero allows us to stop the bike better, which you could see in Malaysia with Joan and how late he brakes.
"Still we have margin in the aero side. I think we have to work hard during the winter to improve, especially the fairing of the bike for next year.
"We’ve also worked a lot with different swing-arms during the season, and I have a new one that gives me a lot more stability.
"Also the electronics, the TC is really good. So the bike is completely another one from the beginning."
