Alberto Puig named Repsol Honda team manager

Alberto Puig is to fill the vacancy left by Livio Suppo's departure by taking over as Repsol Honda team manager.

The Spaniard will oversee reigning champion Marc Marquez and 31-time MotoGP race winner Dani Pedrosa, as HRC seeks to defend its triple crown of riders', teams' and constructors' titles.

Alberto Puig named Repsol Honda team manager

Alberto Puig is to fill the vacancy left by Livio Suppo's departure by taking over as Repsol Honda team manager.

The Spaniard will oversee reigning champion Marc Marquez and 31-time MotoGP race winner Dani Pedrosa, as HRC seeks to defend its triple crown of riders', teams' and constructors' titles.

Puig must also help secure Repsol Honda's 2019 rider line-up, with all of the current factory riders out of contract at the end of this year.

Following a racing career that included a 500GP win, Puig established himself as one of the most respected managers and talent-spotters in motorcycling, including a long partnership with Pedrosa.

Puig has since continued to work as a HRC Advisor as well as being Director of the Asia Talent Cup and British Talent Cup.

"I’m very grateful to HRC for this opportunity they have given me with the Repsol Honda Team. I’ve been with Honda for the last 25 years of my professional career, first as a rider, then as a team manager in the smaller classes, and lately as a coach for many of the Asian riders Honda have around the world," Puig said.

"To have the chance to be in this position in one of the most successful teams in the MotoGP championship is a very big honour for me, so I can only focus on giving my best back to Honda and on trying to help them to achieve their goals. I’m sure our riders will be ready when the time comes, and we as a team will also be ready to once again fight for the title, with humility but also with great determination.”

Puig, who will begin his new role at the Sepang test later this month, will report directly to HRC Director-General Manager of Race Operations Tetsuhiro Kuwata. He and Technical Manager Takeo Yokoyama will be responsible for racing operations.

“We are happy for Alberto to assume a new role as Team Manager for the Repsol Honda Team," said Kuwata. "Alberto has already been a part of the HRC family for many years, first as a rider and then as an Advisor, ultimately managing the Asia Talent Cup, where he helped promising young riders to develop into the sport.

"We believe his skills and great expertise at the highest levels of international motorcycle racing, together with his long and successful relationship with HRC, will give a precious contribution to the Company and the Team, which is aiming to once again fight at the top of the MotoGP Championship.

"We give Alberto a warm ‘welcome aboard’ and wish him good luck in his work!”

Suppo, who had one year left on his contract, announced he was stepping down at the end of last season.

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