Monster Yamaha Tech3s Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith have both confidently set their sights on further top field finishes for this weeks round 7 of the 2014 MotoGP World Championship at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya.
The 25-lap battle will commence on Sunday around the 4727 metre circuit in Montmelo, 20 kilometres north east of Barcelona with the crowd capacity able to stretch to 104,000 spectators. The technical and flowing Catalan track features 5 left and 8 right corners as well as one of the fastest sections of the entire championship with the Yamaha YZR-M1’s reaching speeds of over 340 km/h on the 1047 metre start finish straight, in what will be a guaranteed spectacle for the ever passionate fans. Rookie Pol Espargaro intends to continue his recent, hugely impressive run of form at his home circuit where he will work towards inching closer to the top 3 and pulling off a superb result in front of his fans. Whilst Britain’s Bradley Smith will intrepidly proceed in his quest to become the leading satellite bike by battling tirelessly to cruise to a confidence boosting result in Catalunya.
Pol Espargaro
Championship : 6th
Points : 49
Espargaro – Mugello – 2014″It goes without saying that I am so excited for my home GP and I will try my absolute best to get a top result in front of my Catalan fans. My confidence is high as I feel that I am steadily improving my adaption to the MotoGP bike. In fact both my qualifying performances as well as my race pace have become much more competitive since the beginning of the season, especially in the last two races where I have consistently been in the top five. Therefore I truly hope I can continue this trend for the weekend. In addition, I have had some great results here previously, for example last year in Moto2 where I started on pole before winning the race. So this weekend will for sure be one to remember for me in my first appearance on a MotoGP bike. I can’t wait!”
Bradley Smith
Championship : 10th
Points : 34
Smith – Mugello – 2014″The last Grand Prix at Mugello did not go exactly how I had planned and it was not a true representation of my race ability. We were just a bit unlucky which can sometimes happen to any rider, however I am confident as always and I know I can get a strong result this weekend. The Yamaha works well here and last season I got my joint best result of 6th in my rookie season. So this year I plan to up the stakes and finish higher. It’s demanding and technical but good fun to ride so I am charged and ready to do my best at the Monster Energy sponsored Grand Prix.”
Hervé Poncharal – Team Manager :
“This weekend sees the MotoGP circus moving to the very popular race track in Barcelona. The circuit is fantastic and due to its layout, it’s easy to see why people like it so much. It will be a big race for the whole Tech3 Team as our title backers Monster Energy sponsor the event and it will also be Pol’s home GP who was born basically just behind the main grandstand! Moreover he has done excellently in the past two races and his huge level of improvement is obvious to see, so we are convinced he will put on a superb show for his home fans by trying to fight for a top5 finish again. As for Bradley, the team and I are sure of a strong result this weekend. It was unfortunate what happened in Mugello but we are all completely confident in his ability. He will perform well at a track that suits the Yamaha and which he also enjoys. I have great confidence in both of our boys and the race on Sunday will be a memorable one as it always is in Catalunya.”
GRAN PREMI APEROL DE CATALUNYA
TRACK DATA
Pole position : Left
Length : 4.727 m
Width : 12 m
Corners : 13 (8 right, 5 left)
Longest Straight 1.047 m
Constructed 1991
Modified 1995
CIRCUIT RECORDS
Fastest Lap :
2013 – Dani PEDROSA (SPA) – 1’40.893 – 168.6 km/h
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credit photo Copyright Monster Yamaha Tech3 2014