After a three-week resting period between the Dutch and the German GP, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are eager to start the ninth round of the 2016 MotoGP World Championship this weekend at the GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland.
Lorenzo arrives at Sachsenring with the objective to close down the 24-point gap to the championship leader by delivering a top result before the summer break starts. The Mallorcan is familiar with the German rostrum; he produced an impressive premier class podium streak from 2009 until 2012, securing four consecutive second places and a third place in the MotoGP class in 2014.
Feeling in great shape after enjoying some rest over the last few weeks, he made it his goal this year to conquer first place at Sachsenring for the first time in his career.
Teammate Rossi is more focused than ever on gaining some points in the championship standings and has made it his mission to finish ahead of his closest rivals. Having shown a competitive pace throughout the season, he is feeling confident that he will be able to produce a strong race this weekend. Despite the Sachsenring circuit being quite narrow, he likes the track and his fondness shows in his previous results.
The Doctor has scored four MotoGP race wins at the German circuit, as well as three second places and two third positions in the premier class, and hopes to add another victory this year.
Chemnitz hosted car and motorcycle races on the roads around the town in the 1920s before Sachsenring was built in 1996 for safety reasons. Just two years later the track hosted its first MotoGP event and has continuously been updated since. The just 12m wide asphalt and a majority of slow left corners make this circuit one of the slowest tracks on the calendar, but there will still be plenty of action at the twisty circuit.
Massimo Meregalli
“After a three-week break between the race in Assen and Sachsenring we’ve all had a chance to recharge our batteries for the upcoming weekend and we can’t wait to get started. Both Vale and Jorge have been able to get some rest, but after such a long period off the track they look forward to stepping onboard their bikes again this weekend for the last race before the summer break. This track is not one of the most suitable circuits on the MotoGP calendar for our bike, but as always we will put in a 100% effort and we’ll try to get our first win here since 2009. Our riders are focused and motivated, so we intend to hit the ground running on Friday and look forward to putting on a great show.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Championship: 2nd, 121 points
“We are facing the last round of the first part of the season and we are eager to have a great result before summer holiday. I didn’t expect such a difficult race in Assen but ultimately we were able to get some valuable points for the championship. Now we are visiting Sachsenring, a circuit where I’ve never won. It’s always a challenging track for both me and the YZR-M1, but this year – with different electronics and tyres – you never know. Every race is a question mark so let’s see if this time we can be more competitive in Germany!”
Valentino Rossi
Championship: 3rd, 103 points
“I really want to get back on track. Over these last few days I’ve rested at home, but now I want to leave for the race at Sachsenring. In Assen we worked well throughout the weekend and we were really fast, both in wet and dry conditions, but the race was not very lucky for us. At the Sachsenring circuit we will have to work well as we have been doing during all weekends this season. We are fast and I’m comfortable with the YZR-M1 and with the Michelin tyres. I like this track and Sunday I will do my best to make it a good race.”
Tech3 pair ready for twisting Sachsenring challenge
Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith confidently eye up the forthcoming GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland where they will aim to seize two top tier results aboard their Yamaha YZR-M1 bikes. The round nine battle marks the mid-point of the 2016 season and both riders intend to complete the race as close as possible to the factory bikes in order to conclude the first half of the year positively.
Pol Espargaro will seek to follow up his 4th place at Assen, which equalled his best performance in the premier class, with another impressive finish in Germany. The consistent 25-year-old is currently 6th in the World Championship standings and will look to get straight up to speed at the tight and meandering Saxony circuit.
Meanwhile, Bradley Smith optimistically has his sights set on fighting to a top placement ahead of the summer break after what has been a tricky 2016 campaign so far. The young British rider suffered ill fortunate at the soaking wet Dutch GP after falling whilst pursuing a notable result, however, he remains resolute and fully intends to undertake a strong performance in Germany.
Pol Espargaro
Championship: 6th, 72 points
“As usual, I am looking forward to racing this weekend and I am positive about the team and I doing a good job in Germany. The track is certainly unique and when I ride, it feels a little bit like karting on a MotoGP bike! It is really tight and twisty, plus as there is no long straight, we don’t get much of a rest so it’s very physically demanding. Having said that, we are upbeat because the nature of the Sachsenring suits the Yamaha so I think we can push for a strong showing again. However, I believe that we may see some unexpected results but I’ll try hard to be one of those who have a notable performance. We are ready and prepared so I am sure that we can tick off part one of the season in a positive fashion before I fly to Japan to compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours race for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.”
Bradley Smith
Championship: 15th, 32 points
“The next stop for us is the German Grand Prix, which is definitely a special one, due to the location of the circuit. This racetrack stands alone because of its tight corners like the Omega and also because we do not really open the throttle fully until the waterfall, which I must say is awesome to ride. Last year I managed to get 6th, and honestly, I feel that we have a solid chance of obtaining a good result again with the capabilities of the YZR-M1. After Assen, I went to the legendary Spa – Francorchamps circuit with the Tech3 team and Guy Coulon to ride a two-stroke 500cc Yamaha. I really enjoyed the experience and I have to say thanks to the guys for making it happen. Yet, this weekend we are back our usual business with the goal being to score the top independent position.”
