Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC213V) goes into his home race outside Barcelona this weekend still leading the way in the battle for the 2013 MotoGP World Championship. His rookie team-mate Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda RC213V) is also still very much in the hunt for the title despite crashing out of the Italian Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
This is the first time that local rider Pedrosa – born in Sabadell, just 18km from the Catalunya circuit – has led the points chase going into his home event. The Spaniard leads the way thanks to an excellent start to his 2013 campaign: so far he has scored two victories (at Jerez and Le Mans) and two runner-up finishes (at COTA and Mugello) which followed a tricky first race in Qatar, where he finished fourth.
This weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix should mark another milestone for the 27-year-old – his 200th Grand Prix start. The former 125 and 250 World Champion made his GP debut at Motegi, Japan, in October 2001. Since then he has won 47 GPs across all three classes, an impressive win rate of 23.7 per cent.
Catalunya – usually called Montmelo by the locals – is also the home race for Marquez, born in Cervera, 108km inland from the circuit. The reigning Moto2 World Champion will be hoping for an easier weekend in front of his home fans after an eventful three days at the Italian GP. Marquez, who became the youngest-ever winner of a premier-class GP when he won April’s Grand of the Americas, fell four times at Mugello. After three tumbles in practice he was once again on remarkable form in the race, moving into second place during the closing stages, only to crash one more time.
Despite that DNF, the 20-year-old is only 14 points behind second-placed Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) and 26 points behind Pedrosa. Marquez certainly has form at Catalunya, where he won several regional and national races as he worked his way towards the World Championships. He has finished on the podium on his last three visits, including victory in the 2010 125 race, on his way to securing that year’s 125 World Championship
Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda says:
“Mugello was a tricky weekend but in the end to come away with second place and 20 Championship points is a good result. I’ve been able to rest a little since returning from Italy and now we head to my home Grand Prix in Catalunya, still leading the World Championship. This track is one of the circuits where you stay on the edge of the tyre longer and also a long time turning right so it’s important to have a good feeling with the tyres. In general it’s a nice track and with a very special atmosphere, all my family and friends come to support me and the fans are incredible. Hopefully the weather is good there and we can put on a good race for everyone at my 200th Grand Prix start!”
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda says:
“After crashing out in Mugello I really can’t wait to get back on the bike at my home GP in Montmelo! I am more relaxed after seeing Dr Mir last week and he confirmed there are no complications with my injuries and I am on my way to feeling 100 per cent again. I really hope we have good weather in Barcelona so that once again we can make the most out of all the free practice sessions. This is another track where all the other riders have much more experience than me and they will be extra tough to beat! But we will keep to our own programme, work hard and try our best.”
Repsol Honda Press Release
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