DRIVE M7 Aspar Team excited ahead of hectic home round for main sponsors
Spanish team and its riders Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama looking forward to home round for Malaysian energy drink manufacturer DRIVE M7
It may not be the longest track on the MotoGP calendar since the return of Silverstone but its 5.543km of tarmac certainly presents one of the most difficult challenges for the teams and riders. The Sepang International Circuit this weekend plays host to the seventeenth and penultimate round of the 2014 season and with the title already wrapped up in favour of Honda’s Marc Marquez the chase is on for second place between Yamaha team-mates Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. After two straight wins for the Spaniard it was the Italian who triumphed last time out in Australia and there are just eight points between them with 50 still up for grabs.
Excitement has been building for this race in the DRIVE M7 Aspar Team garage for some weeks now, as the Spanish outfit prepare to represent main sponsor DRIVE M7 in their home round. The riders could hardly be in better shape coming into this race having both scored top ten finishes at Phillip Island a few days ago, with Hiroshi Aoyama confirming his form as one of the most consistent performers in MotoGP at the moment and Nicky Hayden reaching something like peak fitness after his long recovery from wrist surgery. The target for both riders is to score strong results again on Sunday in front of the local support.
Nicky Hayden: “Sepang is an awesome circuit – long, wide and with some really interesting sections. I like it a lot but the weather always plays a big part and it can vary dramatically from one session to another. That makes it hard to find the limit of the grip, plus Sepang has a lot of different kinds of corners so you need a good set-up to be able to ride fast and safe. But it’s a great track and an interesting challenge for us. The Malaysian Grand Prix is also the home race for our main sponsor so I am sure we will have a lot of support there and hopefully we can pay them back with a strong weekend.”
Hiroshi Aoyama: “It was be a special Grand Prix for us this weekend at Sepang because our main sponsor is Malaysian so it will be like a home race. The first two races of the flyaways have been very productive for us so we go to Malaysia in good spirits and with high hopes for the race. Sepang is a very demanding circuit, both for its characteristics and for the suffocating conditions we usually get there, but it is also my favourite track so I am looking forward to riding this weekend. We have been doing a great job in this last part of the season and we have reached a very high level of performance now so I am sure we can continue this with another strong showing on Sunday. We finished eighth in Australia and I would love to do even better in Malaysia.”
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
After a disappointing race in Australia the Repsol Honda Team head to Malaysia
World Champion Marc Marquez and teammate Dani Pedrosa are headed to Malaysia for the penultimate round of 2014 where last year Dani led home a Repsol Honda 1-2. Before arriving in Malaysia, both riders visited Jakarta as guests of Honda Indonesia, who carry the strapline ‘One Heart / Satu Hati’ which is emblazoned on the Spanish duo’s race machines and leathers. Both riders rode their RC213V machines at the Sentul circuit – the first time the Indonesian fans have witnessed a MotoGP bike on home soil.
Sepang is a circuit that all the MotoGP riders know very well, as pre-season testing takes place there each February. The 2,300 acre Sepang International Circuit is one of the World’s best motorsport facilities, holding its first Grand Prix in April 1999 and setting the standard for race circuits Worldwide. With four slow corners following two long straights and ten medium to high-speed corners, the wide track is particularly favourable to overtaking manoeuvres and plenty of open throttle. One of the longest laps in MotoGP is made all the more gruelling for riders by intense heat and humidity. Sepang is located around 50km south of Kuala Lumpur city.
Marc has already clinched the 2014 Championship in Japan, but after his unfortunate crash in Australia he will be looking for redemption. He took second place here in 2013 (MotoGP) and won in 2010 (125cc), but has also scored two DNF’s (2012 and 2009). Teammate Dani will also be looking to get back on top in Sepang to fight for second place in the Championship. He’s enjoyed great success at the Malaysian circuit achieving nine podiums including four victories – 2013, 2012 (MotoGP), 2004 (250cc), 2003 (125cc).
TEAM QUOTES
Marc Marquez
2014 MotoGP World Champion
“It was a shame what happened in Australia, but anyway I was trying a different tactic and I’m lucky to be able to do this with the Championship already won. On the way to Malaysia we visited Jakarta for an event with Honda, riding a MotoGP machine there for the first time which was a nice experience. Sepang is a circuit I like and the Honda performed well there last year with Dani first and myself second. Finding the best setup is very important here, especially in the braking so we will have to work hard on Friday and Saturday to prepare for the race.”
Dani Pedrosa
Championship Standing: 4th – 230 points
“I’m happy to put Phillip Island behind us and focus on the race this weekend in Malaysia. This is a track we all know very well and it’s going to be physically demanding as always – due to the weather. The layout has a little of everything, fast and slow corners, hard braking and long straights. Let’s hope we can get a good setup and give ourselves the best chance for the race on Sunday to be back in the fight for second position in the Championship.”
More, from another press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Marquez and Pedrosa ride MotoGP machine in Indonesia for first time
Earlier this week, 2014 MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez and teammate Dani Pedrosa visited Jakarta on their way to Malaysia for round seventeen of the World Championship. On Monday, they were guests of Trans 7’s TV show ‘Hitam Putih”, then yesterday they broke history after riding a MotoGP machine for the first time in Indonesia at the Sentul Circuit, Bogor. Watched by thousands of fans, the two Repsol Honda Riders also took to the circuit on the latest sports motorcycle of PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM), the Honda CBR150R.
AHM gave this unique opportunity for the Indonesian people to come and meet the MotoGP riders and in accordance with the spirit of One Heart / Satu Hati to help them realise their greatest dreams. This is the first visit for Marc Marquez to Indonesia, and also the first time he and teammate Dani Pedrosa have ridden in front of their Indonesian fans at the home of Indonesian Motorsport in Sentul, with local riders and loyal Honda customers in attendance – as a part of the Honda CBR Community Events Scheme.
AHM ran two promotions for 300 loyal Honda customers to meet the MotoGP riders. 150 were chosen through an online promotion for customers who ordered the latest CBR150R online from September 5th-19th, and the other 150 were chosen by random after purchasing Honda sports motorcycles – Honda CB150R StreetFire, Honda Verza 150, or Honda MegaPro FI in the period from September 8th-30th.
Marketing Director of AHM, Margono Tanuwijaya, commented “In the spirit of One Heart / Satu Hati, the company continuously conducts many efforts to encourage Indonesian people to make their dreams become a reality. Through our sponsorship of the MotoGP World Champions – the Repsol Honda Team – we inspire them to aim high and reassure them that they can reach their dreams. The Indonesian people embrace MotoGP and Honda motorcycles whole heartedly and today we endeavoured to combine these affections by offering the chance for our loyal Honda clients to ride a Honda CBR150R alongside newly crowned MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez, and teammate Dani Pedrosa. We believe it will strengthen the bond between Honda and our customers with the spirit of One Heart / Satu Hati.”
World Champion Marc Marquez enjoyed the experience remarking, “It was great to ride in front of all the Indonesian fans and give them the opportunity to hear a MotoGP bike in the home circuit! We have many fans here in Indonesia and we really appreciate all their support. Hopefully we can come back again soon!”. Dani Pedrosa echoed his teammates enthusiasm, “The passion here for MotoGP is really something else! We feel it through all the social media interactions we have but to witness it first hand and have the chance to ride our Honda here in Sentul was really something special! Thank you to all of you who came to see us!”.
Besides the main event, the spectators were also entertained by an exhibition race of Honda CBR150R, a Honda Stunt Rider show, and the performance of Honda Ladies show.
More, from a press release issued by Movistar Yamaha:
Yamaha Prepares to Wrap Up Triple-Header in Sepang
Sepang International Circuit (Sepang, Malaysia)
After a superb race at Phillip Island where Yamaha filled the podium, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP heads to Malaysia for another heated battle at the Sepang International Circuit for the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Strengthened by his victory from last Sunday, Valentino Rossi has extra motivation to fight for second place in the championship. The Doctor is a fan of the Malaysian track, where he stood on the podium nine times in his career. He has won at the Sepang circuit in the 500cc class in 2001 and claimed premier class victories in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
During the race at Phillip Island teammate Jorge Lorenzo successfully fended off his rivals for second place despite suffering tyre problems. This weekend the Spaniard hopes to be able to ride a problem free race at Sepang. Though he likes the track, he has yet to claim a premier class MotoGP victory here. In previous years he climbed the Malaysian premier class podium on three occasions, claiming second place in 2012 and third place in 2010 and 2013.
The fast and wide Sepang International Circuit held its first Grand Prix in 1999 and is known to host some of the most exciting races thanks to its combination of four slow corners, two long straights and ten medium to high-speed corners. The circuit’s diverse sections not only provide challenges when it comes to the set up of the bike, but its 5.5 km length and extremely hot and humid conditions make it one of the most testing tracks for the riders. Only those in peak physical condition can endure a full race length.
Valentino Rossi
“Apart from the temperature being a bit too high for MotoGP racing, I really like the Malaysian track. I have always had good races here. We are doing a good job this season and I want to get a good result here. We are working well with the team and I feel very well. The last victory in Australia was great, we are very happy but mostly it was another beautiful confirmation of the good work we’re doing. This weekend we have to work well from Friday and fix every little detail to get to the race with a good set-up. The bike has improved a lot and this showed with three Yamaha riders on the Australian podium. The race in Malaysia will be the last of three in a row. I will do my best to win again. I got my second win of the season and now I want to fight for second place in the championship. It will be a great fight with Dani and Jorge in the next two races!”
Jorge Lorenzo
“At Phillip Island it was a really difficult race, but despite all of the problems that we’ve suffered during the race we still managed to get another podium. I look forward to racing at Sepang, it’s a nice track. Maybe it’s not the best place for our bike but we know this circuit really well because we usually do some testing here during the pre-season. It’s always tricky to race in Malaysia because of the weather conditions, but even if it’s rainy the grip at the circuit is not so bad. I would like to be competitive again, especially because I want to fight for the second place in the championship. Personally, I’m feeling well and I’m in a good physical shape so we can be optimistic for this weekend.”
Massimo Meregalli
“After two great weekends we arrive at the last of the three back-to-back races. We had some great results these last few weeks with Vale’s amazing victory at Phillip Island last weekend and Jorge winning the weekend before at Motegi, but the Grand Prix of Malaysia might be the biggest challenge of the three. Sepang always is quite challenging because of the heat and its specific layout. Thanks to the pre-season test we have quite a lot of data and since the riders both like this circuit, I think we can be positive in our expectations. The bike is working really well and it will be interesting to see how our newfound data from this season will affect our times. We are ready to do our best again, which is very important as we are almost at the end of the season.”
More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone:
Bridgestone MotoGP™ Preview – Round 17: Sepang
Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Medium & Hard. Rear: Soft, Medium & Hard (Asymmetric)
Bridgestone wet tyre compounds available: Hard (Main), Soft (Alternative)
Round seventeen of the 2014 MotoGP™ season takes place at Sepang International Circuit, a circuit defined by its high ambient temperatures and humidity, and a fast, technical layout.
Measuring approximately 5.5 kilometres in length, Sepang is characterised by two long straights that end in extreme braking zones which demand high levels of stability from the front tyre. The rest of the circuit is a mix of high and low speed corners that combine to generate significant stress on tyres, with this circuit being one of the more demanding in terms of tyre development.
With the severe braking zones being such an integral part of the Sepang Circuit, Bridgestone has developed a new hard compound front slick tyre that riders will get to use in a race setting for the first time this weekend. This new development offers the same excellent braking stability and durability of the previous hard compound front slick, but with better cornering and warm-up performance.
Although Sepang is tough on tyres and asymmetric rear slicks are supplied at this circuit, the stresses placed on the left and right shoulders of the tyre are not as marked as at other circuits, so the right shoulder features rubber only one step harder than the left. The rear tyre options for the Factory Honda and Yamaha riders are the medium and hard compounds, while the Ducati and Open-class riders have the soft and medium compound rear slicks available to them. Owing to its severe braking zones and high ambient temperatures, the front tyre allocation for Sepang comprises rubber compounds that are towards the harder end of Bridgestone’s range with the medium compound front being available alongside the new hard compound front slick that makes its competitive debut this weekend.
Hiroshi Yamada – Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department
“The final leg of the triple-header takes place this weekend at Malaysia’s Sepang Circuit, and this event is growing in popularity each year as South-east Asia’s love affair with MotoGP continues to grow. There is still a lot to play for in this championship, with two rounds left to decide who will finish second in the championship. Valentino and Jorge are in great form for Yamaha, but Dani has a tremendous record at Sepang having won there the past two years, so it seems we may have an exciting battle on our hands. This weekend also marks the final round of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup which Bridgestone has been proud to support in its inaugural year. This series has helped unearth some great young riding talent in Asia, and I hope to see a successful conclusion to this year’s championship in front of a big crowd at Sepang.”
Shinji Aoki – Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyre Development Department
“The Sepang circuit have a varied layout that is characterised by its two long straights, the long lap length and the high track temperature which is often above 50 degrees Celsius. It is one of the fastest circuits of the season and features a mix of high speed corners and tight hairpins with heavy braking. Front tyre stability is crucial under braking, especially at the end of the two fast straights, and the high speed corners demand good shoulder grip and durability. This weekend marks the debut of our new hard compound front slick and given how important good front-end feel and stability is at this circuit, this new development should be a boost to riders this weekend.
“Tyre durability and a good bike setup are crucial here as the high ambient and track temperatures mean that there is little cooling effect on the tyres. The track surface at Sepang has degraded significantly over the years, so it’s important that the teams find a setup that makes best use of the tyres and in this regard, having the winter tests here is important.”