Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Marc Márquez and Maverick Viñales head event for riders competing under the energy company banner this season.
The Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid was packed with 9,000 fans this Saturday, as they enjoyed the Repsol Team 2012 presentation. Repsol Honda Team MotoGP riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, Moto2 star Marc Márquez and Repsol Moto3 talents Maverick Viñales & Miguel Oliveira took part in the event, which featured music, a light show and magic. The presentation concluded with the surprise appearance of reigning World Champion Stoner onboard the new Honda RC213V.
Repsol has serious aspirations of titles in each of the categories and championships in which they are present. That is why they have the best riders at their disposal: Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa (MotoGP), Marc Márquez (Moto2), Maverick Viñales, Miguel Oliveira, Álex Rins (Moto3), Álex Márquez, María Herrera, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri (Campeonato de España de Velocidad), Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami (Trial).
Fans at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid could hear the riders’ opinions first-hand, as the three title winners Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Márquez took to the stage alongside the most promising young talents: Maverick Viñales, Miguel Oliveira and Álex Rins. The group posed together for the first time, ahead of the first race of the season in Qatar on April 8th. Future stars Álex Márquez and María Herrera will be riding for Repsol in the CEV Spanish Moto3 series.
The Repsol Team 2012 presentation was the prologue to the fourth round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship, in which Repsol also has a presence: Toni Bou is the current series leader and a ten time World Champion, accompanied by teammate Takahisa Fujinami.
Repsol has been present in the world of sports sponsorship since 1969. For over 40 years, the energy company has been one of the reference points of the highest level of competition, becoming a symbol of innovation, technology and excellence in fuel supply for the most demanding disciplines in addition to an academy for exceptional riders.
Dani Pedrosa >>Audio
“I am very happy to be here at the Repsol riders presentation. I really enjoy these events, because the people here give you a lot of support and a warm reception. It is also nice to be in the same place as the other Repsol riders —including the Trial competitors whom we don’t see so often. We hope that this is the start of a good season for everyone”.
Casey Stoner >> Audio
“This is really fantastic. I have been riding for a Spanish team in Repsol and developing as a rider in Spain was a very special experience for me. To be surrounded by people in this event is somewhere that I have always wanted to be. This is a great place for a presentation”.
Marc Márquez >> Audio
“It is an honour to be at this presentation for another year and, above all, to be a Repsol rider. It is a winning brand and it is a privilege to have Repsol’s belief in me. To see the Repsol logo on your bike is a source of great pride. Now I just have to enjoy the season and keep calm, because this is also part of our job. Now I’m going to watch the X-Trial, which is also very exciting”.
Maverick Viñales >> Audio
“It was a very nice new experience for me. I hadn’t been here before. To be able to stand alongside riders such as Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Marc Márquez is a real pleasure. It is great to begin to do things with them and I thank Repsol for all their support”.
Miguel Oliveira >> Audio >> Audio (port)
“It has been a perfect day. The presentation was spectacular and the fans gave us a great reception. It is an honour to be one of the Repsol riders for this season. I enjoyed this a lot, because I could meet riders whom I had only seen on television before. I was even able to speak with the current MotoGP World Champion, Casey Stoner! Repsol has made us feel like a family and this has united us. I think that having good relationships in such a competitive world is a good thing. You can feel their support and this is very important”.
Álex Rins >> Audio
“This presentation has been very fun. I enjoyed myself tremendously. I was able to share some great moments with World Championship riders, CEV competitors and those from Trial. I am itching to get on track in Qatar for the first race of the season. I missed the first two official tests, but thanks to the medical team I have almost completely recovered. I now have complete mobility of my arm and am just lacking a little strength. I am really excited about the start of the season”.
Álex Márquez >> Audio
“The presentation of the Repsol Team 2012 has been really fun and I really enjoyed myself here. I was able to rub shoulders with all the World Championship riders: Pedrosa, Stoner, my brother and the others. I really appreciate Repsol’s support for all the riders –above all for me. I am very motivated for the start of this season. I have already tried the Moto3 at the IRTA test and in private tests and I feel very comfortable on the bike. Now we just have Jerez to go in order to be ready to win the first race and push forward in the championship”.
María Herrera >> Audio
“I really didn’t expect a presentation like this. I had a really great time and it was a treat to share the stage with Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. I have to thank Repsol for giving me the possibility of being alongside these great riders and learning from them. Regarding the championship, I think that I have a chance. I have a great team behind me and the new bike is very fun to ride. I think I will be very comfortable with it”.
