Michael Conroy/Associated Press
Marc Marquez will be desperate to continue his resurgent form at the Czech Republic Grand Prix this weekend, with the reigning MotoGP world champion seeking his third successive win.
The Repsol Honda star put in a late surge to overhaul Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo in Indianapolis last time out. Now, after a tough start to the season, the two-time MotoGP world champion looks back at full tilt and he'll be desperate to close the gap to Valentino Rossi at the summit of the standings.
It promises to be another gripping weekend at the Automotodrom Brno, so here are all the key viewing details you need ahead of the race and a look at a couple of riders who will be set on glory when they take to the circuit.
Czech Republic Grand Prix Friday, August 14 8:55 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Free Practice 1 Friday, August 14 1:05 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. Free Practice 2 Saturday, August 15 8:55 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Free Practice 3 Saturday, August 15 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. Free Practice 4 Saturday, August 15 1:10 p.m. - 1:25 p.m. Qualifying 1 Saturday, August 15 1:35 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. Qualifying 2 Sunday, August 16 1 p.m. RaceMotoGp
All the action can be streamed via the BT Sport website (UK)
Marc MarquezDespite participating in MotoGP for just the third season in his already illustrious career, Marquez commands something of an aura when he prowls around corners on his Honda. It was a trait that was on show in earnest in Indianapolis, as he stalked Lorenzo before pulling off a fine move to take the lead with three laps to go.
Here's a look at the race's decisive moment, courtesy of BT Sport MotoGP:
Earlier in the season, Marquez may not have had enough to get past the Yamaha. But after some fine-tuning to the bike and some refocusing from the rider, the 22-year-old sensation looks ready to launch a late assault on the world championship standings.
He's 56 points behind Rossi coming into this race, but there are still seven rounds left in the season for the Spanish star to make up some crucial ground. As we can see here courtesy of Box_Repsol, Marquez has a brilliant record at Brno too:
The man himself has admitted it will be "really difficult" to secure the ultimate prize after the way in which Yamaha dominated the early stages of the season, per motorsport.com. However, he'll still be the overwhelming favourite heading into the Czech Republic showpiece and will coast to another impressive victory.
All eyes will then turn to the Yamaha duo of Rossi and Lorenzo to see how they fare at this unique racing circuit.
Prediction: Winner
Valentino RossiAlthough Rossi was only able to muster a third-place finish last time out, once again the iconic Italian dazzled on race day after a poor qualifying performance.
The world championship leader was down in eighth on the grid from the start at Indianapolis and although he did a tremendous job to scythe through the field, there's little doubt that if his qualifying efforts had been better, Rossi would have had this world title all but wrapped up.
As MCN Sport noted during the United States Grand Prix, the legendary rider is doing himself a disservice by not getting in strong grid positions:
The 36-year-old admitted himself that his qualifying displays this season have not been up to scratch and has vowed to make major improvements going forward, per motogp.com:
The problem is the qualifying, we struggle too much in the practice and we arrive with a little bit too much of a delay before finding a good setting. Starting from the third row is always difficult. I started well and I was fast on the first laps so, if I would have been able to start from the second row, I would have been able to stay with Marc and Jorge until the end of the race. We have to work hard on this, starting from Brno.
Who will win the world title? Who will win the world title?If it doesn't improve, the position of privilege at the top of the standings could soon be gone. Lorenzo's second-place finish in the United States means the gap has been cut down to just nine points in the race for glory and although Rossi has been supremely consistent on race days this season, one slip and his chances could be gone.
Rossi knows what's needed to triumph at Brno, having won there four times in MotoGP, but the most recent victory came in 2009. He will find it tough to get the better of Marquez, but some more determination in qualifying should see the Italian oust his team-mate and extend his slender lead in the overall standings.
Prediction: Runner-up
