Repsol Honda Team en route to Malaysia looking for the hat-trick
With Marc Marquez’ victory in Phillip Island, and Dani Pedrosa’s win in Motegi, the Repsol Honda Team are headed to Sepang, Malaysia looking to complete a hat-trick of victories in the fly away races.
The Malaysia GP is the penultimate round of the season and Sepang is a circuit that the MotoGP riders know very well, as pre-season testing takes place there each February. The 2,300 acre Sepang International Circuit is one of the World’s best motorsport facilities, holding its first Grand Prix in April 1999 and setting the standard for race circuits Worldwide. With four slow corners following two long straights and ten medium to high-speed corners, the wide track is particularly favourable to overtaking manoeuvres and plenty of open throttle. One of the longest laps in MotoGP is made all the more gruelling for riders by intense heat and humidity. Sepang is located around 50km south of Kuala Lumpur city.
Marc has been victorious here in 2014 (MotoGP) and 2010 (125cc), but has also scored two DNF’s (2012 and 2009). Despite crashing out last year, Dani has enjoyed great success at the Malaysian circuit achieving nine podiums including four victories – 2013, 2012 (MotoGP), 2004 (250cc), 2003 (125cc).
Marc Marquez
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING: 3RD – 222 POINTS
“After a wonderful victory in Australia we are on our way to Malaysia and hoping to continue this good run for Honda, and end the season on a high. We do a lot of testing at Sepang and it’s a circuit I enjoy and where our bike tends to work well. As always, getting the best setup is key especially in the braking so we will have to work hard on Friday and Saturday to prepare for the race.”
Dani Pedrosa
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING: 5TH – 165 POINTS
“I’m reasonably happy with the result in Phillip Island but now we are on our way to Sepang and hoping to step back on the podium. Obviously we all know this track very well from the testing we do there each year, and understand how physically demanding it is due to the intense weather. This track has a bit of everything – fast and slow corners, hard braking and long straights – so it will be important to get a good setup to give ourselves the best chance come Sunday.”