The Repsol Honda team riders take part in the Spanish GP this weekend in Jerez, the first of four home rounds this season.
Dani Pedrosa has three victories at the Andalusian track since his premier class debut –in 2008, 2013 and 2017- and a total of 10 podiums there in MotoGP.
The reigning World Champion, Marc Márquez, has finished at the rostrum in every MotoGP race he has contested at the Circuito de Jerez to date: He won the 2014 race, finished second in 2013, 2015 and 2017 and placed third in 2016.
Last year, Pedrosa and Márquez were both on the rostrum –something the pair have done twelve times: The 2013 GP of The Americas, 2013 Spanish GP, 2013 Indianapolis GP, 2013 Czech Republic GP, 2013 Malaysian GP, 2014 GP of The Americas, 2014 Argentinian GP, 2014 German GP, 2015 German GP, 2017 Spanish GP, 2017 Czech Republic GP and 2017 Aragon GP.
After his victory in the United States, Márquez arrives at Jerez one point behind the leader in the overall standings, Andrea Dovizioso.
Marc Márquez:
“We arrive in Spain following a great weekend and a great result in Texas, but now a new phase begins in Europe, where we’ll see the level of every team and rider. Here, the circuits are generally different and more ‘traditional,’ starting with Jerez, which is a tighter, slower, and more difficult track than the ones like Austin. We had a good setup there, and now it will be important to also find a good base for circuits like Jerez. We had a good test there at the end of March, and we’ll approach it with a positive mentality. Racing in front of my home crowd and my fan club will of course add to the good feeling and atmosphere. We’ll keep working hard and focusing on consistency, which is a crucial point for the title chase; I think Dovi will be a great rival, as he was last year. Anyway, this year I feel really good on the bike: In Qatar, Argentina, and Austin, the confidence was always there, and that’s the most important thing. We’re just one point behind in the championship, so we must continue this way.”
Dani Pedrosa:
“I’m looking forward to the next race, in Jerez. Finally we get to Europe. I’ve had one more week for my wrist to recover, and hopefully that will help with my riding. It was important to get some points in the last race, and once again we’ll try our best at Jerez. Hopefully on Friday there will be less pain in my hand, and the strength will be good enough to ride in the best possible conditions at a track that I like very much, surrounded by all my fans.”
