Fresh from the Summer break, the Repsol Honda Team head to Indianapolis
After a two-week Summer holiday since the Brno Test, the Repsol Honda Team are en route to the famous Brickyard for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.
The famous circuit – Home of the Indy 500 – is one of the most famous circuits in motorsport, ‘The Brickyard’ became an official MotoGP venue for the first time in 2008 following some modifications and homologation by the FIM. The layout of the track, which is 4.170km in length and has 16 turns (ten left turns and six rights), incorporates the main straight of the famous oval circuit including the Brickyard and an area between turns 1 and 2 of the oval, before meandering through the vast interior of the IMS.
Since last year’s race, the infield section of the Indianapolis circuit has been resurfaced and there have also been slight changes to the layout. The initial sequence of turns 1 through 4, which previously featured a tight hairpin, has now been redesigned to introduce a more flowing first few turns into a less dramatic turn 4 hairpin. Also the final sector of left-right-left turns (14, 15 and 16) has been changed to soften the extreme changes of direction.
Both Marc and Dani have enjoyed fantastic success here in the past few years, with Marc winning on three occasions – 2011 and 2012 in Moto2, 2013 in MotoGP – and Dani on two occasions – 2010, 2012 – and taking second in 2011 and 2012.
TEAM QUOTES
Marc Marquez
1st – Championship Standing: 1st – 225 points
“It’s been a great Summer break, which has combined some important time off to recharge the batteries, and also training to ensure I’m ready for the second half of the season. I’ve had time to reflect on what an amazing first nine races we’ve had and now I’m really eager to get back on the bike in Indianapolis! I’ve always liked the track and it will be interesting to see the changes that they’ve made, so we’ll need to pay attention from the first practice session and get back into our rhythm as quickly as possible!”
MARC MARQUEZ STATISTICS
Date of Birth17/02/1993
BirthplaceLleida, (Catalonia) – Spain
Height168 cm
Weight59 kg
HobbiesMountain Biking, Video games
Racing number93
Grand Prix debut2008 125cc Portugal GP (KTM 125 FRR)
GPs raced105
GP pole positions44 (14 in 125cc, 14 in Moto2, 16 in MotoGP)
MotoGP podiums25
Total GP podiums64 (14 in 125cc, 25 in Moto2, 25 in MotoGP)
MotoGP wins15
First GP win2010 125cc Italian GP (Derbi RSA 125)
Total GP wins41 (10 in 125cc, 16 in Moto2, 15 in MotoGP)
World titles3 (1 x MotoGP 2013, 1 x 125cc, 2010, 1 x Moto2, 2012)
Previous Results at Indianapolis2013 1st (MotoGP), 2012 1st (Moto2), 2011 1st (Moto2), 2010 10th (125cc), 2009 6th (Moto2), 2008 6th (125cc)
Dani Pedrosa
2nd – Championship Standing: 2nd – 148 points
“I’m feeling relaxed and ready for this second half of the season. The strong race in Germany and confirming my contract before the Summer break was the perfect way to end the first half of the season. Indy is a track I’ve had good results at in the past few years so my aim is to arrive there and fight again for the victory. Obviously we have new track layout to look at so it will be important to take some time with my team to examine these changes and be prepared for the race”
DANI PEDROSA STATISTICS
Date of Birth29/09/1985
BirthplaceSabadell, (Catalonia) – Spain
Height160 cm
Weight51kg
HobbiesCycling, Motocross, Windsurfing, Cinema
Racing number26
Grand Prix debut2001. 125cc Japanese GP, Suzuka – (Honda RS125R)
GPs raced220
GP pole positions45 (9 in 125cc, 9 in 250cc, 27 in MotoGP)
MotoGP podiums91
Total GP podiums131 (17 in 125cc, 24 in 250cc, 91 in MotoGP)
MotoGP wins25
First GP win2002. 125cc Dutch GP, Assen – (Honda RS125R)
Total GP wins48 (8 in 125cc, 15 in 250cc, 25 in MotoGP)
World titles3 (1 x 125cc, 2003, 2 x 250cc 2004 & 2005)
Previous Results at Indianapolis2013 2nd (MotoGP), 2012 1st (MotoGP), 2011 2nd (MotoGP), 2010 1st (MotoGP), 2009 10th (MotoGP), 2008 8th (MotoGP)