Repsol Honda team riders lap with record pace at Sachsenring, as Marc Marquez leads all practice sessions and Dani Pedrosa shows constant progression.
The German Grand Prix, which begins tomorrow at 2pm at Sachsenring, will feature Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa occupying the front two positions on the grid. The Repsol Honda duo, who took a podium one-two last season, went fastest in qualifying after their most consistent weekend so far this season.
The reigning World Champion topped the timesheets in both practice sessions on Saturday, then did the same in qualifying with a 1:20.336 lap. Teammate Dani Pedrosa was sixth in the third free practice session, then upped his pace to go second in FP4. In qualifying he led the way at one point with a time of 1:20.628, besting the track record by 3 tenths. That was just before Marquez lowered the previous record – which he established last year – by 6 tenths.
Both will share the front row tomorrow for a race which marks the halfway point in the 2015 season.
Marc Marquez >> AUDIO
1st – 1:20.336, 48 laps, 176 km
“After FP3, I was expecting to set a 1’20.7 or 1’20.6 this afternoon. However, when I saw that I had set a 1’20.3, I decided that it was best to stop and not do any more laps as that’s when crashes happen! I am happy with my fast lap, but above all I am pleased with my pace and how I feel on the bike. It seems as if we are gradually getting better with that, but I am aware that tomorrow’s race will be a tough 30 laps and that Dani is very strong here, as are Jorge and Valentino, but I feel ready to fight for the victory.”
Dani Pedrosa >> AUDIO
2nd – 1:20.628, 48 laps, 176 km
“I’m happy because we had a good qualifying session and productive practice sessions beforehand, with a strong pace. Now that we are on the front row tomorrow it will be important to make a good start at this circuit, because it is vital for the race. The track is so small that you benefit a lot from being at the front, so hopefully this time we can go with the first group. The front tyre choice will also be important. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow, because we’re eager to get a good result. Marc has a slightly stronger pace than mine, but we will try to do well and have a good race.”
