After the excitement two weeks ago at the Le Mans circuit, the MotoGP World Championship continues to increase the intensity with one of the most spectacular races of the season: the Italian Grand Prix, at the Mugello circuit. Set in an idyllic backdrop, the passion and atmosphere surrounding the Italian event give a unique flavour to a race that Pedrosa, Dovizioso and Márquez reach with the ambition of being among the fastest of the weekend.
In the MotoGP category, Andrea Dovizioso’s podium finish in the French Grand Prix allows him to arrive at one of the most long-awaited events of the year on a high, after taking a significant step forward. The work in the heart of the Repsol Honda Team have allowed him to finish two races on the podium and rank third in the World Championship standings after three races. Aware of the difficulties that the demanding Mugello circuit always presents, Dovizioso will have the support of the crowd, extra motivation for the Italian rider who will be able to feel the warmth of his fellow-Italians on the track.
For his team-mate, Dani Pedrosa, the Italian race is an opportunity to make up for lost ground two weeks ago in France. Gradually advancing, the Repsol rider knows that a job well done will allow him to be among the fastest and fight for a place of honour. After a season start, which already looked difficult during the pre-season, the Repsol rider arrives at one of the most physically demanding tracks of the championship highly motivated and fighting fit.
In 125cc, Marc Márquez will once again be the centre of attention. Without having completely recovered, the Repsol rider has conscientiously prepared himself to reach Mugello as fit as possible. If the podium in France was just reward for his tenacity and capacity for sacrifice, the Italian race will be a new test in which Márquez will seek to continue advancing in the World Championship. Fifth last season, his adaptation to the Derbi RSA and another season of experience behind his back allow him to tackle this new race with a higher guarantee of success, in a year in which the Repsol rider appears in every sweepstake.
Dani Pedrosa
“Mugello is one of the circuits you always look forward to because the atmosphere is incredible. It’s very similar to Spain, people are very passionate, the viewing areas are normally full from the first day of practice and it helps you to get quickly in the mood for the Grand Prix. We will have to work hard this weekend, for sure, but we are very motivated to improve on the final result we got in France. We are working well with the team, adapting the bike to get the best package possible for each track, and we need to get it absolutely right for the race. I hope we can do that in Italy. This season we go there in much better shape than last year and that’s important because Mugello is a physically demanding track to ride, especially in the fast direction changes. The strategy for the weekend is simply to be totally focused and get the maximum out of every session”.
Andrea Dovizioso
“We’re arriving at Mugello in a good situation. Two weeks ago at Le Mans I was able to ride fast, we had a good race and I ended up with a great podium finish – plus we were quite close to the two Yamahas. I think that if I had been able to qualify further forward, we could have got an even better result. So that result has set us up well for Mugello which is a very special track for me. The circuit is really fascinating to ride – it’s so challenging and demanding to get right and this is what makes it so appealing. Plus the support of the Italian fans is incredible. I like everything here: the people, the circuit, Tuscany, Firenze, the food… I really look forward to racing at Mugello. It’s also a special appointment also for my fans gathered at the Casanova Savelli turns, so I’ll do everything I can to put on a good show for them this weekend”.
Marc Márquez
“I still don’t feel completely fit but I’m much better than when we went to France, where I got very tired. Over these few days, I have recovered quite well and trained hard because now we have many races one after the other. The first is in Mugello, a very different circuit to Le Mans, faster and with lots of changes of direction that are physically demanding. It is a very long track, with turns in which you can’t see the exit and where a good setup is important. It’s hard to get a good pace because as it’s such a long track, you have to get used to doing few laps and doing a good job every time you go out. Let’s see if I can feel comfortable from the start and we can ride with the front riders”.
