TOKYO (Dispatches) - The works RC213V bikes will continue to carry its title sponsor's orange, white and red colors, which have adorned Honda's premier-class machinery since 1995. Repsol's current deal with the team runs through 2020.
Both reigning champion Marquez and Lorenzo, who has replaced the long-serving Dani Pedrosa at the outfit, were present at the season launch event at Repsol's headquarters in Madrid.
This was despite Lorenzo undergoing surgery just two days earlier, the Spaniard having sustained a scaphoid fracture that will rule him out of the opening pre-season test at Sepang.
"Marc needs no presentation, for his actions speak louder than words. For Jorge, we want to welcome him in the team, and we are sure that the fact he accepted this challenge proves he is a true champion.” Honda Racing Corporation director Tetsuhiro Kuwata said.
Also present were former Honda 500cc riders Mick Doohan and Alex Criville, who were part of its line-up in its first year with Repsol, in which Doohan became champion.
The 2019 bikes again feature prominent branding for backer Red Bull, marking a first for Lorenzo, who has previously represented rival energy drink companies Rockstar and Monster.
In addition to Marquez's crown, Honda will be defending its teams' and manufacturers' titles in a 19-race campaign that will kick off in Qatar on March 10.
*****Marc M?rquez, Repsol Honda Team Carlos Guil Iglesias