Grand Prix of The Americas

Round 2 - Tuesday, April 8th 2014

Americas - Preview

Repsol Honda Team head to Austin for the Red Bull GP of The Americas

After a fantastic battle in Qatar, the Repsol Honda Team head to Texas leading the World Championship.

This is just the second time the MotoGP paddock will visit the 5.513km Texas circuit, designed by well-known German architect and circuit designer Hermann Tilke and completed in 2012. The driving direction is counter clockwise and has a total of 20 corners with 9 right turns and 11 left turns.

Reigning World Champion and Qatar winner, Marc Marquez, has been focusing on the rehabilitation of his injured right leg – from a pre-season injury – and will hope to be closer to 100% for this weekend’s race. Even though it didn’t seem to impede him too much in Qatar, Marc commented that with so many right hand turns at the Losail track, he was having to compensate for his weaker leg with his right arm, so this two and a half week break has been vital for the young Spaniard.

Teammate Dani Pedrosa, who took 3rd place in Qatar, will also be looking to take a step up and challenge for the win in Austin, a race in which he led the first twelve laps of last year, before being passed by Marc who went on to win, marking the first 1-2 finish for the Spanish Repsol Honda duo in 2013.

The normal weekend schedule returns in Austin with first practice on Friday and the race on Sunday at 14h00 local time.

Team Quotes

Championship Standing: 1st - 25 points

“Since Qatar I’ve been focusing on getting my leg stronger and my body fitter in preparation for the Austin race this weekend. This track is one of my favourite tracks, I had a good race here last year where I have good memories of taking my first win in the MotoGP class. We’ll have to wait and see the situation with the new rules for this year, but anyway we will be focused on our work. Thankfully the majority of hard turns are left handers at this track which is easier on my leg as I’m still not 100% fit”

Marc Marquez Statistics

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Date of Birth	17/02/1993
Birthplace	Lleida, (Catalonia) – Spain
Height	168 cm
Weight	59 kg
Hobbies	Mountain Biking, Video games
Grand Prix debut	2008 125cc Portugal GP (KTM 125 FRR)
First GP win	2010 125cc Italian GP (Derbi RSA 125)
GP pole positions	38 (10 MotoGP, 14 in 125cc, 14 in Moto2)
Total GP wins	32 (6 MotoGP, 10 in 125cc, 16 in Moto2)
MotoGP wins	7
MotoGP podiums	17
World titles	3 (1 x MotoGP 2013, 1 x 125cc, 2010, 1 x Moto2, 2012)

Previous Results at Austin:

2013 1st (MotoGP)

Championship Standing: 3rd - 16 points

“I've had a good training week at home and now I'm looking forward to get to Austin, to see the team and ride at a track I like. We had a good race there last year and we’ll have to see how the bike works there this year. I hope to ride well and that we are greeted by the usual good atmosphere in America at this second visit to Austin for the RedBull GP!”

Dani Pedrosa Statistics

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Date of Birth	29/09/1985
Height	1.60m
Weight	51kg
Hobbies	Cycling, Motocross, Windsurfing, Cinema
Grand Prix debut	2001. 125cc Japanese GP, Suzuka – (Honda RS125R)
First GP win	2002. 125cc Dutch GP, Assen – (Honda RS125R)
GPs raced	194
GP pole positions	42 (9 in 125cc, 9 in 250cc, 24 in MotoGP)
Total GP wins	45 (8 in 125cc, 15 in 250cc, 22 in MotoGP)
MotoGP wins	25
Total GP podiums	113
World titles	3 (1 x 125cc, 2003, 2 x 250cc 2004 & 2005 ‚Äì Honda RS250RW)

Previous Results at Austin:

2013 2nd (MotoGP)

Copyright Free Images

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Circuit Information

View circuit page at www.repsolhondateam.com

Length	5.513 m / 3.426 miles
Width	15m
Left corners	11
Right corners	9
Longest straight	1.200 m / 0.746 miles
Constructed	2012
Modified

9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd
Austin, TX 78617

www.circuitoftheamericas.com

Pole Position	2m 03.021s (161.3 km/h) Marc Marquez (Honda, 2013)
Race Lap	2m 242s (159.7 km/h) Marc Marquez (Honda, 2013)
Race Time	43m 42.123s (158.9 km/h) (Marc Marquez Honda, 2013)
2013 Race Winner	Marc Marquez (Honda)