Spielberg, Austria: MotoGP Pre-Race Report

Marc Marquez is roaring to go and get underway in Austria for the Grand Prix. He is well rested and has his mindset in check to chase down the world title for 2016. The new circuit will definitely challenge the riders as they ride on unfamiliar territory. The lap times are going to showcase which rider has the confidence at a track that is super fast and could see some serious torque with the Ducati bikes of Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone. 

 

 

Jorge Lorenzo enjoyed his time off to re-focus on training and is feeling refreshed. It has been very important for Lorenzo to get his mindset charged up in order to catch up to Marc Marquez who at this moment is running away with the championship. His fellow teammate Valentino Rossi understands how crucial it is to get into the points from this weekend forward. The Doctor made a few mistakes in the first half of the season and has used the time off during the holidays to reflect and pinpoint where he can improve for the second half. 

 

 

The crosshair is on Marquez from Lorenzo, Rossi, Dovizioso, Iannone and Pedrosa. As we know the fight will go down to the wire as anything can happen in this sport of motorcycle racing. The Red Bull Ring has also altered turn 10 in order to ensure the safety of the riders. The track is going to suit the Ducati bikes of Dovi and Iannone quite well after they tested in Austria and were extremely fast. The first and second gear acceleration and the medium-long straights assist in their bikes performing at the optimum level. Of course, things can change with the Michelin tyres and the combination of electronics. Friday and Saturday practice sessions will showcase how strong the two Italian riders will be and if a win is achievable over the Honda and Yamaha bikes. 

 

 

In other exciting news, Cal Crutchlow has become a father to a baby girl named Willow after his wife Lucy gave birth. The LCR Honda rider is over the moon and has designed a special helmet for the weekend that represents his beautiful girl. There are no doubts that this will spur on Cal and make him hungry for a top place finish. In the Moto2 and Moto3 categories, the idea of the Austrian Grand Prix being easy is not the case. Alex Rins believes that consistency all weekend is going to be the number one key to winning the title in 2016. The corners are fast, the circuit short and the riders stoked to be back on their machines. Jack Miller is super excited to get back on his bucking bull of a Honda. The Australian rider has been superb so far this season with so much more to come.

 

As the sessions get underway, be prepared for excitement and testing scenarios that push the riders to their limits. Every opportunity counts and Marquez is the title favourite by far with such a strong sense of being out there on the track and in sync with his machine like no other this year so far. It will be the first time since 1997 that the riders take on the Spielberg circuit. No doubt the speed trap statistics are going to be ridiculous fast.