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Pedrosa and Marquez ready for Dutch TT after Aragon test. In Moto3, Rins looking for second win of 2013 and Marquez again debuting at an unknown track.
- – Marc Marquez on a roll of three consecutive wins at Assen: 2012 and 2011 in Moto2 and 2010 in 125cc.
- – Track one of few World Championship circuits at which Dani Pedrosa has not won in MotoGP –although he holds the circuit record.
- – Assen fifth track on calendar at which Alex Marquez has never ridden before.
Following the Catalan Grand Prix, the World Championship this week moves to the Assen circuit known as “The Cathedral” of motorcycle racing. The Repsol Honda team riders land in the Netherlands after a short test in Aragon, where they worked with both the current bike and the prototype 2014 machine. In Moto3, Alex Rins and Alex Marquez placed second and fourth, respectively, in Catalonia and have been standouts in recent races.
The Dutch TT is the only race on the calendar to be held on a Saturday. Dani Pedrosa, the current MotoGP World Championship leader, has never won at the Dutch track, but placed second last year behind Casey Stoner. Teammate Marc Marquez has been victorious at Assen for the last three years, encompassing one win in 125cc and two Moto2 triumphs. This year he makes his debut at the circuit on a premier class machine.
In the lower cylinder class, following success at the most recent Grand Prix, Alex Rins rides at Assen for the second time in his career. He placed sixth in last season’s Moto3 race and wants to improve further on that performance.
Alex Marquez debuts at the tricky, fast Assen track, looking to show once again his talent for adaptation in the Moto3 class.
Dani Pedrosa
“After a good race in Catalunya and an important 20 points, I still lead the Championship and I am looking forward to Assen. I won my first ever race there and have very special memories. The weather can be temperamental so I hope we get some dry track time on Friday to find a good setting! It is a good track but it’s important to have a good feeling with the tyres because there are several fast corners. I hope we can keep the momentum going and do a good race.”
Marc Marquez
“I had a difficult weekend in Catalunya but in the race, riding behind Dani, I was able to learn many things. The Aragon test was useful and we were able to solve some problems we’ve experienced in the last few races and also get to know the Honda RC213V a lot better! I know the weather in Assen can be unpredictable so it will be important to make the most of the dry track time we have. I like the circuit and I am feeling really good at the moment so it will be interesting to get there on the MotoGP machine!”
Shuhei Nakamoto, Vice-president of HRC
“The test of the RC213V 2014 prototype has been very constructive. Dani, Marc and Stefan all gave us similar comments regarding the positive and negative aspects of the new bike and these will be very important in order to proceed with the development for next season. This test has also been very useful to work with the set up of the current bike and help Dani and Marc find something they both like. The fact that they are happy with the 2013 version of the RC213V puts no pressure on us to race with the new prototype, so we will continue with its development as planned, and will be back in Europe to the test after Misano or for the one after Valencia”.
Alex Rins
“The next race is Assen, at a circuit that I particularly like. I remember last year we struggled a bit to reach the leading group, but I think that this season we are stronger and that we can have a good race. It being a small circuit, there are sure to be many riders in the leading group -especially if Folger recovers from his injury and returns to action.”
Alex Marquez
“I’ve been to Holland at least four times to watch my brother. From what I’ve seen, it is a fairly flat and complicated track. I know that the first part of the circuit is a little slow, but then you have the fast section which is very nice to ride -especially the last sector and the last chicane, which is where many races have been decided. I am told that it is a little easier than Mugello, but that also depends on the rider. We have to go with the same mentality with which we have approached the last few races, and I’m sure that we will do well. Fast corners are good for my riding style, so we’ll see if we can make the most of that.”
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