A well deserved mid-season two week break is nearly over and Yamaha Factory Racing is preparing to continue the 2011 MotoGP battle at Brno this weekend for the Grand Prix of Czech Republic. Having spent his break relaxing in the Dominican Republic, defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo is fighting fit and ready to continue his battle with Championship leader Casey Stoner for the title. The Mallorcan has four wins at the Brno circuit, one in 125cc, two in 250cc and a textbook maiden Brno MotoGP victory last year on his way to Championship victory. With eight races remaining on the calendar and a points deficit of just 20 to the lead, Lorenz has everything to fight for this weekend. Ben Spies arrives at Brno this weekend fresh from time out in his home state of Texas, looking to improve on his impressive performance at the Czech circuit last year. The American has one World Superbike victory at Brno under his belt and was denied his maiden pole in his rookie MotoGP appearance last year by just 0.338 seconds from Dani Pedrosa. An impressive race run saw him finish just off the podium in fourth. This year’s race will mark the 42nd World Championship race on the Brno circuit, having first appeared on the calendar in 1965 as a road circuit. Now a fully closed track, the circuit is a favourite with many riders for its dramatic elevation changes and the fast close racing it generates. Following the Brno race weekend Yamaha Factory Racing will remain at the circuit for a one-day 1000cc test in preparation for the 2012 Championship. Jorge Lorenzo “After the long break we are going to Brno completely recharged and ready to fight and try to reduce the gap with Casey. This is a track I like and where I won last year. I hope we can start the second half of the season on the podium. After the race we will be testing the 1000cc bike for one day. I am really looking forward to discovering the new Yamaha.” Ben Spies “It’s been really cool to hang out at home with my friends and family in Texas and take a break from the racing. I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike now, especially at Brno which is a track I really enjoy. It was good to me in Superbike and we showed a lot of potential there last year, I nearly had pole position and think I could have challenged for a podium if I hadn’t suffered a frond end grip issue early in the race.” Wilco Zeelenberg “We’ve had a nice short break for both riders and team which after ten rounds was necessary. We feel very positive for the rest of the season after the last three rounds; we are very competitive and Jorge is riding well and the bike is better than the first period. Brno is a very smooth track which Jorge likes a lot so we go there to challenge and try to close the 20 point gap to the lead. With eight races remaining anything is possible.” Massimo Meregalli “We are all looking to Brno in good form having had a relaxing break. The team is refreshed and feels very motivated as we have had good results in Brno previously for both Jorge and Ben; the track definitely suits the Yamaha YZR-M1. Our package and performance has continued to get stronger over the season so we are looking to the last eight races determined to deliver on our potential.”