The one-two for Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez at the Grand Prix of Spain has put the Repsol Honda Team at the head of the MotoGP World Championship standings. With three different winners from the three races held so far this season, the top trio are separated by just four points, offering an exciting start to the season that will continue at the French Grand Prix. In Moto3, Alex Rins and Alex Marquez already have an eye on a new challenge after disappointment at Jerez.
It will come at the legendary Le Mans circuit, the venue for the famous 24-hour endurance race and a track at which both Pedrosa and Marquez have won Grands Prix. Pedrosa did so in 125cc (2003) and in 250cc (2004 and 2005) whilst Marquez took the victory in 2011 his first season in Moto2. It was also the scene of the first podium for Alex Rins, who one year ago managed to finish third in the rain on his first visit to the track. That is a scenario that teammate Alex Marquez may face this time around, at one of the few tracks that he has yet to ride —along with Mugello, Assen, Sachsenring and Silverstone.
Dani Pedrosa
“After a fantastic weekend in Jerez and a productive test on the Monday, I’m looking forward to going to Le Mans. I had good results in the past and I enjoy the circuit, so I’m hoping that the bike works well there. Practice management in Le Mans can sometimes be difficult and complicated due to the weather but I’m finding my comfort again on the bike and I’m working well with the team. I will go to France and aim to use all of my experience and remain focused for the whole weekend.”
Marc Marquez
“We go to Le Mans and again we arrive there starting from zero, as I haven’t done any tests there. I’ll do my best and I’ll try to make the most of the situation. I hope it doesn’t rain so we can prepare the bike on a dry track, this is very important to find the right set up. I’m very happy at the moment but we have to keep our feet on the ground as the coming circuits are new for me in MotoGP. A huge part of our success in this first part of the season is down to the help that Honda and the team have given me and it had helped my riding a lot.”
