Repsol Honda Team head to San Marino’s Marco Simoncelli circuit
After a difficult weekend in Silverstone, caused by adverse weather on race day, this weekend the MotoGP paddock is en route to San Marino for round thirteen of the 2015 World Championship.
Misano, renamed in 2012 as the ‘Marco Simoncelli Circuit’, underwent a major modification for the 2007 season, when the racing direction changed from clockwise to counter-clockwise, and it was resurfaced this year before the Repsol Honda team were testing there in July. Popular with both riders and spectators, it’s 4.18km in length and features five left turns and nine rights.
Despite last year – when he finished 15th after losing the front but was able to rejoin the race – Marc has an incredible record here in Misano, taking victory in 2012 and 2011 (Moto2) and also in 2010 (125cc) and finished 2nd in his maiden visit on the MotoGP machine (2013). Dani has also enjoyed good results here with one victory (2010) a 2nd place (2011) and a three 3rd places (2014, 2013, 2009).
Marc Marquez
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING: 3RD – 159 POINTS
“Obviously I’m disappointed to have crashed out of the race in the UK, but I was pushing and this can happen when the weather is like that. Of course the Championship is getting further away from us but we were back fighting at the front and this is definitely a positive. Now we head to Misano which is a pretty small and slow track. We were testing there before the Summer break so I hope the data from that test can help us with the setting this weekend. It’s a delicate balance getting the bike right to suit the demands on braking at this twisty track and let’s hope the weather is nice after last weekend!”
Dani Pedrosa
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING: 7TH – 102 POINTS
“Silverstone wasn’t the race I – or anyone – was expecting. I felt positive over the course of the weekend, but on Sunday – in the rain – I struggled to find a good feeling. We finished the race, which is important, but this weekend I hope to make another step forward to fight at the front. Misano is a special place and always has a great atmosphere. Let’s hope the sun comes out and we have good weather all weekend so we can start working hard from Friday. It’s a short lap but intense with many overtaking points and it’s quite bumpy, so set up is key. Let’s hope that the work we did there in testing will assist us.”