Bartholemy talks EG 0,0 Marc VDS's bike options for 2019

EG 0,0 Marc VDS Team Principal, Michael Bartholemy, explains they are in talks with other manufacturers from next year in MotoGP™

With the news that KTM and Tech 3 will become partners from the 2019 season onwards, speculation is now in the air about EG 0,0 Marc VDS and the team’s future with Honda as their contract expires at the end of this season.

“Hervé made a very quick move, he beat us!," said Team Principal Michael Bartholemy, speaking at the team's launch event in Madrid. "Normally I’m quick to decide all the time, which is good. It makes the Championship for Independent teams very exciting also.”

EG 0,0 Marc VDS has used Honda machinery since their debut in the premier class in 2015, with Jack Miller notably taking the RC213V to the team’s first (and so far, only) win in MotoGP™ at the rain-soaked Dutch TT in Assen, pulling off a masterclass strategy.

After almost four years with the Japanese manufacturer, is the team likely to renew their contract? “There is maybe some news, yes. Things have changed with Honda since last November and I think we need to assess all the options.

“I think we must look all the possibilities we could have. I don’t want to decide too late, I want to have all the elements on the table on March, and then close something during April or May. That’s the target that I have for the moment.”

Should they decide to move away from Honda, Suzuki could be a viable option. The Hamamatsu factory has expressed intent to have an Independent team on the grid soon, and the Belgian team could be the perfect fit, with Bartholemy revealing both parties have been in talks.

“Suzuki is one of the manufacturers we are talking with. I think last year when Honda offered us the 2017 bike, at that moment they wanted to only sign a one year contract,” says Bartholemy. “Maybe we were a little disappointed that it was only for one year, as we wanted to have more support from the company. Now, things are changing for us and for them [Honda] too.

“I think we are one of the best Independent Teams that is free from 2019 to 2021, so let’s see. The target is to have a partner for the next three years and to not only sign for one year. Let’s see who can convince us the most for our future.”