The Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™ is warming up the engines at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The traditional official pre-event press conference was held today, during which some of the main characters of the World Championship met to share their feelings a few hours ahead of the start of the track activity. The riders did also have a curious photo session, all dressed up and leaving their leathers behind to celebrate the 70 years of MotoGP™ history. Moreover, today was the day of the meeting between the young talents of the PromoRACC Cup and the professional riders of the MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ who started their careers in this promotion series.
Marc Márquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Álex Rins, Danilo Petrucci, Maverick Viñales, Aleix Espargaró and Arón Canet: this was the group of riders who met today with the media. As expected, the lights focussed especially on Márquez and Dovizioso, current leader and second qualified in the World Championship.
Reigning World Champion, Marc Márquez, cannot hide the fact that he is attending his home race as the favourite rider for the win. “I’m happy to be at my home race leading the championship. Last year Ducati was very fast, so we’ll see what happens this year. Our idea is to continue working hard and to step onto the podium on Sunday”, the rider born in Cervera explained. The Catalan rider inevitably feels pressure by the Ducati machines especially by his immediate follower, Andrea Dovizioso.
The Italian Ducati rider is a bit over ten points behind Márquez. “Getting here twelve points behind Márquez is very positive at this point of the Championship. We want to fight with him, he is always on the podium, ready to win”, said Dovizioso. He was also “happy to be in this racetrack, which is a major challenge for the tyres and their temperature”.
Besides the duel between Márquez and Dovizioso, the third in the group, Álex Rins, admitted that he has ”brought a few elements to test them this weekend. Suzuki is working non-stop to improve the bike”. Fourth in the standings, Danilo Petrucci, reminded the attendants that one of the key factors in this season that turn the event in Catalonia into an especially thrilling event is that: “there are four or six riders fighting for the front positions at every race, it will be complicated”.
Maverick Viñales, talked about the performance of the Yamaha. “We have a lot of speed during the practices, but during qualifying we loose more than a second”, he stated. The same issue was addressed by Aleix Espargaró, who regretted that “last year’s performance of the Aprilia is not enough this year to be among the top 10″.
Arón Canet attended the conference as leader of the Moto3™ class and only rider not being in the premier class. Born in Valencia, the rider knows that the three points of advantage over Lorenzo Dalla Porta are not too many: “We will have to continue improving and working hard, because Dalla Porta is not going to make things easy this weekend”.
The moments of the day
Putting the statements and disclosures made in the media room at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya aside, the riders had other dates in their agendas.
To start the day, the main straight witnessed a meeting between the past and the present, experience and training, but with one common denominator: the passion for motorcycling and competition. Some of the most renowned riders of the World Championship have met with the future of Catalan Motorcycling. MotoGP™ riders like Marc Márquez, Álex Rins, Pol Espargaró, Tito Rabat, Fabio Quartararo and Miguel Oliveira; Moto2™, como Alex Márquez y Xavi Vierge; and Moto3™, like Albert Arenas, Arón Canet, Marcos Ramírez and Jaume Masià wanted to show their support to the young promises of the PromoRACC Cup. All of them entered this series and were able to gain experience, with the aim of reaching the place they have reached today, with this extraordinary platform that serves as a school for many years.
On the other hand, late in the afternoon, the riders of the MotoGP™ World Championship put on their best dresses and left their leather behind, to capture a moment for history. This was the way all of them celebrated the 70th anniversary of top level motorcycling competition, with the aim of continue with the growth of these decades of history and unique memories.
Tomorrow, green light for track activity
The track activity will start tomorrow at 9h with the free practices in the three classes of the World Championship The traditional Pit Lane Walkabout will take place in the afternoon, from 16.45 to 18.15h.
Tickets available at www.circuitcat.com
Tickets to enjoy the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™ are available at www.circuitcat.com from 45 euros. Three days of show and fun, both on and off the track. There are discounts and a wide range of tickets for all tastes and budgets.
