Repsol Honda Team head to San Marino's Marco Simoncelli circuit
After a difficult weekend in Silverstone, caused by adverse weather on race day, this weekend the MotoGP paddock is en route to San Marino for round thirteen of the 2015 World Championship.
Misano, renamed in 2012 as the ?Marco Simoncelli Circuit', underwent a major modification for the 2007 season, when the racing direction changed from clockwise to counter-clockwise, and it was resurfaced this year before the Repsol Honda team were testing there in July. Popular with both riders and spectators, it's 4.18km in length and features five left turns and nine rights.
Despite last year - when he finished 15th after losing the front but was able to rejoin the race - Marc has an incredible record here in Misano, taking victory in 2012 and 2011 (Moto2) and also in 2010 (125cc) and finished 2nd in his maiden visit on the MotoGP machine (2013). Dani has also enjoyed good results here with one victory (2010) a 2nd place (2011) and a three 3rd places (2014, 2013, 2009).
Marc MarquezCHAMPIONSHIP STANDING: 3RD - 159 POINTS"Obviously I'm disappointed to have crashed out of the race in the UK, but I was pushing and this can happen when the weather is like that. Of course the Championship is getting further away from us but we were back fighting at the front and this is definitely a positive. Now we head to Misano which is a pretty small and slow track. We were testing there before the Summer break so I hope the data from that test can help us with the setting this weekend. It's a delicate balance getting the bike right to suit the demands on braking at this twisty track and let's hope the weather is nice after last weekend!"
Dani PedrosaCHAMPIONSHIP STANDING: 7TH - 102 POINTS"Silverstone wasn't the race I - or anyone - was expecting. I felt positive over the course of the weekend, but on Sunday - in the rain - I struggled to find a good feeling. We finished the race, which is important, but this weekend I hope to make another step forward to fight at the front. Misano is a special place and always has a great atmosphere. Let's hope the sun comes out and we have good weather all weekend so we can start working hard from Friday. It's a short lap but intense with many overtaking points and it's quite bumpy, so set up is key. Let's hope that the work we did there in testing will assist us."
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Marc VDS
Redding ready to race at Misano
Gosselies, Belgium - 8 September 2015: Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider, Scott Redding, heads to this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix at Misano looking to build on his sixth place finish last time out at Silverstone, his best result since stepping up to the MotoGP class in 2014.
Redding was the first British rider home at Silverstone, which provided a much needed confidence boost during what has been a difficult first season aboard the factory Honda RC213V for the 22-year-old.
Although buoyed by his success in the British Grand Prix Redding remains realistic as he heads to Misano, a circuit that differs greatly in character to Silverstone and one that places different demands on the rider, bike and tyres.
The Briton will also need to evaluate changes made to the Misano circuit, which underwent extensive renovation earlier this year. The 4.2km track was completely resurfaced in March, with additional run off also added for safety and a number of the corners and kerbs re-profiled.
Unlike many of his MotoGP rivals, who tested at Misano back in July, Redding will see the circuit modifications for the first time this weekend. What is certain is that lap records will tumble, as all of the riders who took part in the test back in July were under the pole position record of 1'32.915, set by Marc M�rquez in 2013.
Scott Redding:"Misano is a very different circuit to Silverstone. It's still got some fast corners but it's also more technical in places. I normally enjoy racing there, but we will need to see how the resurfacing has changed things, as it's likely to be more abrasive which means tyre wear could be an issue. I hope we can maintain the form from Silverstone, but it all depends on how the Honda works at the track. If the bike works then I hope we can keep making improvements in free practice and secure a place directly in QP2 once again, as this takes some of the pressure off in qualifying and it's critical for a good race result."
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal"Scott rode a good race in front of his home crowd in the British Grand Prix and to finish as the top British rider was just the boost to his confidence that he needed after difficult races in Indianapolis and Brno. Now he needs to carry the momentum into this weekend at Misano, which is a very different track to Silverstone. What is important is for him to feel comfortable on the bike after the first two free practice sessions on Friday and the team will be working hard to achieve that. If he can find a good feeling with the bike ahead of the all important FP3 then we stand a good chance of progressing straight into QP2 again, which is important both for Scott's confidence and the race."
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