Espargaro and Smith back on Spanish soil for Aragon fight
The Monster Yamaha Tech3 team head to Spain this week for the 14th round of the 2014 MotoGP World Championship at the impressive MotorLand Aragon circuit as both riders aim to clinch successful results before heading east for the three fly away races.
The modern and well equipped 5078 meter anti clockwise track is located in the heart of Spain, close to Alcaniz which formerly hosted street racing events in the past. The MotorLand Aragon circuit first held itÕs MotoGP race in 2010, 12 months after construction and won the IRTA Best Grand Prix of the Year award that season due to the meticulous construction and brilliant facilities. The high-speed track features 17 corners, with 10 left and 7 right plus a straight of 968 meters and tests the riders to their limits as well as always ensuring a fantastic racing spectacle in front of the passionate Spanish crowd.
Pol Espargaro returns to home soil once more with intent to fly high by battling for the leading satellite MotoGP bike title and continue his impressive showing in his first season in the premier class. Whilst, Bradley Smith will look to undertake another confident race result this weekend by closing in on the top six with the Yamaha YZR-M1 after a positive ride at the previous round in Misano.
Pol Espargaro
Championship : 6th Points : 98
“It’s always great racing in my home country so this weekend will be one to remember for sure. I really enjoy the style and the corners of this track, which are just simply superb as well as being great fun to ride. I am very keen to get going especially as I have won twice here in the lower leagues so I am confident of a strong result this weekend aboard the Yamaha which I am feeling very positive with. The past few races have been productive but there’s still work to be done, as I’m still a bit off the leading factory riders. I am determined to get a good result before we head outside of Europe for the next three races and so I will try nothing but my best here this weekend. Realistically I think we can at least be battling for the leading satellite bike once again and I can’t wait to experience the track and especially the last corner on a MotoGP bike!”
Bradley Smith
Championship : 10th Points : 74
“This weekend I intend to firmly reinstate myself within the top six at the MotorLand Aragon circuit which is really something special and has produced some great races for the fans in recent years. It was good to bring the bike home in 7th at the last race to give me some confidence for this round and the final part of the season even though, for sure, I am aiming to be higher. I have had some strong runs here before and 7th last year as a rookie was positive but I’ll certainly be gunning for more this time around. The sweeping corners suit the YZR-M1, therefore I remain fully confident in my ability so I look forward to the challenge as always and pushing myself to the limit to do my best for the team and Yamaha.”
Hervé Poncharal – Team manager :
“We are back in Spain for this weekend which we all really look forward to especially after the Misano race where Yamaha scored a fantastic result. It’s a very unique and interesting circuit in Aragon with the locals doing a superb job to accommodate our sport really well every year. We can all say that it is one of the most spectacular tracks that we visit and our ambitions for this race remain the same as always. Pol has won here before and continues to impress us all in his rookie season, especially at Misano where he finished in 6th for the second time in succession. We are confident in him as he is also so we expect him to be battling for the top six in front of his home fans. As for Brad we know that he’s had some tough luck, but he’s never given up and he will take the positive result from Misano and push onwards. Our expectations are for him to be battling with Pol for the top six and trying his hardest as always. Both riders are doing a great job and as the final part of the season begins we know what we can do and remain resolute in battling to get the leading satellite team title by the end of the year.”
More, from a press release issued by Scott Redding’s publicist:
Redding ready to race at Aragon
Aragon, Spain – 25 September 2014: Scott Redding heads back to Spain this weekend for round 14 of the MotoGP World Championship, which takes place at the purpose built Motorland Aragon complex close to Alcañiz.
The 21-year-old Briton endured a tough weekend last time out in Misano, where 13th position ended his five race run as the top Open Class Honda rider.
Redding is racing at Aragon aboard a MotoGP bike for the first time this weekend but it’s a track he knows well, having finished fourth in the Moto2 race there last season. The British rider also thinks that the characteristics of the Aragon circuit could suit well his Honda RCV1000R.
Scott Redding:
“Aragon is quite a nice track and even though it will be again a new circuit for me on a MotoGP bike, I think that it could be good for our technical package. At Misano we faced a difficult weekend and we struggled to be fast, so now we are determined to be back at the level of competitiveness we put on display in the previous races. We will work hard to get back in front of the other Open Class Honda riders and, if possible, we will also try to fight with some Factory bikes this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda:
BRADL KEEN TO MAKE AMEND AT ARAGÓN MOTORLAND
Aragón, 25 September: last European venue before the fly-away-races (Japan-Australia-Malaysia) for the MotoGP field, which arrived at Motorland Aragón for the fourteenth round of the season. Last year LCR Honda racer Stefan Bradl scored a fifth-place finish at Aragón and on this visit the former Moto2 World Champion will be aiming to get back inside the top five after sliding out of the San Marino Grand Prix a fortnight ago. The German has had an up-and-down 2014 so far, with two front-row starts proving that he has the speed when things work in his favour.
Stefan: “I am looking forward to this weekend, because the Aragón circuit suits the Honda, and I must bounce back after my failure in Misano. Aragón is another track that I like pretty much and last year I enjoyed a great battle with Bautista and Rossi to finish the race in fifth place. It would be nice to repeat that weekend. We still have 5 races to go and I want to close the gap to the front guys to improve my position in the world classification”.
More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone:
Bridgestone MotoGP™ Preview – Round 14: Aragon
Wednesday, September 24 2014
Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Soft, Medium & Hard; Rear: Soft, Medium & Hard (Asymmetric)
Bridgestone wet tyre compounds available: Soft (Main), Hard (Alternative)
Round fourteen of the 2014 MotoGP™ season takes place at MotorLand Aragon; a venue where variable weather conditions, long sweeping corners and hard braking zones create a challenge for tyre development.
Measuring 5078 metres in length, Aragon is a technical circuit with a back straight almost one kilometre in length among a mixture of long sweeping corners and slower, tighter curves. The varied nature of the circuit and its susceptibility to cool weather requires a special approach to tyre development. Tyres that warm-up quickly, and provide both good cornering grip and braking stability are required at this Spanish circuit.
The presence of a couple of long-radius left-hand corners at Aragon means that overall, the left shoulder of the tyres are put under greater stress than the right. As a result, asymmetric rear slicks with slightly harder rubber compounds on the left shoulder are provided at this circuit. For the rear tyre, the options for the Factory Honda and Yamaha are the medium and hard compound, while the Ducati and Open-class riders will have the soft and medium compound rear slicks available. The three front slick options at Aragon are the soft, medium and hard compounds. Owing to the smooth tarmac and possibility of cold weather, the main wet tyre for Aragon is the soft compound option, although every rider will also be able to select a small number of the alternative, hard compound wet tyre.
Hiroshi Yamada – Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department
“The MotorLand Aragon circuit is quite different to other venues on the MotoGP calendar as its remote, rural location belies its status as a thoroughly modern racing facility boasting a highly technical circuit. Although the championship cannot be decided at Aragon, I expect we will see a lot of interest in this race as at this stage of the season, so many riders are showing good form and there has been great racing all the way through the field. This is the last round before the three back-to-back races in the Far East and is the last chance for European fans to come to a race until the season finale at Valencia. With this in mind, I hope to see a big crowd at Aragon this weekend as going by the last few races, I am certain we will witness some exciting racing this weekend.”
Shinji Aoki – Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyre Development Department
“MotorLand Aragon is a circuit with relatively smooth and slippery tarmac, similar to Misano, so there is a need for good grip levels which suggests softer compounds. However, there are also some long corners and some downhill braking points which require greater stability and thus harder compounds, so compound selection here is a balancing act. Generally, ambient temperatures at this time of year in the region are warm, though the elevation of the circuit means cooler temperatures are possible so we must consider warm-up performance when selecting the tyre allocation for this race. Our rear slicks at this circuit are asymmetric with slightly harder rubber on the left shoulder to deal with the long, sweeping left-handers but overall the forces imposed on the right and left shoulder of the rear tyres are quite balanced.”
More, from a press release issued by AirAsia Caterham Moto2 Team:
Aragon GP Race Preview
Spain – 28th September 2014
Circuit: MotorLand Aragon
Circuit Length: 3.155 miles
Moto2 Records
Fastest Lap: 2011 Marc MARQUEZ (SPA) Chassis: Suter; Time: 1’53.296; Speed: 161.3 km/h
Circuit Record: 2011 Marc MARQUEZ (SPA) Chassis: Suter; Time: 1’53.956; Speed: 160.4 km/h
Best Pole: 2011 Marc MARQUEZ (SPA) Chassis: Suter; Time: 1’53.296; Speed: 161.3 km/h
Top Speed: 2012 Thomas LUTHI (SWI) Chassis: Suter; Speed: 284.0 km/h
The fourteenth round of the Moto2 Championship will take place at the modernistic MotorLand Aragon.
Designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, the circuit first began hosting MotoGP in 2010.
Set in stunning surroundings near to the town of Alcaniz, the track consists of ten left corners and seven right corners, with the longest straight measuring 0.601 miles.
#5 Johann Zarco: “We had a test at Aragon earlier this year, like many of the other riders also, so I think that the lap times will be very fast and very close. For sure it is not going to be easy but I think it can be a good track for the Caterham Suter. We have to take this chance, keep calm and start the weekend as well as possible, work hard, trust in this work and see what happens on Sunday. It is a nice track, a fast track and we have reference, so we will see.”
#14 Ratthapark Wilairot: “The track at Aragon I know as I have raced there already this year in Supersport, which was ok, but it is a completely different bike.
“The week before Misano was my first time riding in nearly two months, following the summer break in Supersport, so it was not so easy coming back and getting on the Moto2 bike. My result in Italy was not good and I know I can do better; I think I just needed this time to adjust to riding the Caterham Suter again. We have a better reference to work from now, so we can use this for Aragon. I need to change a number of things for this next race, but I know what I must work on and I am feeling positive.”
Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager: “The Circuit at MotorLand Aragon is great to ride. It is a long lap with many corner variations and elevation changes. It also has a long back straight with a very fast final corner. I have ridden there many times myself and I love the layout. However it has some tricky parts which require that the bike set up is right, otherwise it is very hard work.
“We tested at Aragon in May, so I think that we could have a good set up with Johann for this Grand Prix. The weather condition will be quite different though, so it could mean that we have to adapt it. For Ratthapark it will be his first time with us at this track, but he is determined to prove himself after Misano, so I know he will work hard.
“We are focussed and we know what we have to do, so let’s see what happens, but I think our Caterham Suter will do well.”
More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing Team:
Moto2 Championship battle heads to Aragon
Gosselies, Belgium: With the Marc VDS Racing Team’s Tito Rabat and Mika Kallio separated by just 22 points at the top of the Moto2 World Championship standings this weekend’s Grand Prix of Aragon could prove pivotal in the battle for the title.
In Misano Rabat became only the third rider ever to score three successive wins in the hotly contested Moto2 World Championship – the others being former champions, Marc Marquez and Toni Elias – but the 25-year-old Spaniard is keen to extend that winning streak at a track where he finished second 12 months ago.
A win this weekend would put Rabat more than 25 points – or one win – ahead of Kallio; an important psychological advantage going into the three overseas races that follow immediately after the Grand Prix of Aragon.
Kallio, of course, heads to Spain determined to reverse the results of the last three races, where he’s finished second to his Marc VDS teammate each time. The 31-year-old Finn has three race wins to his name this season, has been on the podium in every race since Assen and is keen to add another win in Aragon this weekend, to close the gap to his teammate in the championship standings.
Jorge Navarro heads home to Aragon after confidence boosting points scoring finish in Misano, his second since joining the Marc VDS Racing Team at Indianapolis. For the first time this season Navarro will not need to learn his way around a new track during free practice on Friday, as he’s raced at Aragon in the Spanish Championship and tested there aboard the Kalex-KTM ahead of the CEV round at Navarra.
Tito Rabat:
“It’s a little different racing in Spain, because you can feel the support of the home crowd, but that won’t alter my approach to this weekend’s race in Aragon. It’s still very close between Mika and me in the championship, so I go to Aragon with the same aim as always; to work hard with my crew, focus on my job, put in 100% and, on Sunday, try and fight for the race win.”
Mika Kallio:
“Now it’s time to think about the championship, as the end of the season is approaching and we have just five races left in which to decide things. It’s still close in the standings, but the last three races didn’t go our way; my race pace was good, but Tito just seemed to have more rear grip at the end of the race, which he used to his advantage. Maybe we need to modify our strategy for the remaining races and think about how we can save the tyres for the final laps because, now, I need to keep Tito behind me. He’s the main target because, unless we hit a problem, the others are maybe too far behind to challenge for the title. It looks like it’s going to be down to me or him now and I hope we can regain the upper hand this weekend in Aragon.”
Jorge Navarro:
“I like the Aragon circuit, it’s one of my favourites in Spain, and it will be good to finally race a Grand Prix at a track at which I’ve raced before. We tested at Aragon ahead of the CEV round at Navarra and we definitely made a big step forward with the Kalex-KTM there, so I feel confident going into the weekend and I’m hoping for a good result in the race on Sunday.”
More, from a press release issued by AGT Rea Racing:
Gino Rea aiming for a Top 15 at Aragon
Gino Rea awaits the Aragon Grand Prix with great anticipation, after an action packed break following a positive outing at Misano. Rea was privileged to ride at Valentino Rossi’s Ranch in Tavullia, getting in quality track time and an experience to remember for the young rider. On returning home, Gino fitted in more crucial track time, riding at the Desertmartin International Motocross track in Northern Ireland. Off the back of a positive ride at Misano for the AGT REA Racing team, Rea is confident that he can push into the Top 20 this weekend and ideally the Top 15.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back on track here at Aragon. It’s a circuit that I really enjoy and I think we’re coming in with positive vibes after improving our pace in the last two races. I had the 19th fastest lap time in the race at Misano so the goal here is to qualify in the Top 20, preferably in the Top 15. I’ve had a good time since Misano riding at the VR46 Ranch and I’ve been out riding Motocross so I’m keen to get back on a road bike.
AGT REA Racing will be on track tomorrow at 10.55 local time for the first free practice session of the grand prix weekend. Follow the team on their Facebook www.facebook.com/agtrearacing and Twitter @AGT_REA_Racing for updates at Aragon.