Fresh from a podium fight at the Austrian Grand Prix, the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team heads to the Brno for this weekend’s HJC Helmets Grand Prix Ceské republiky. After a strong ride from Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi last Sunday, the teammates aim to further their championship challenge during this weekend’s race at the Automotodrom Brno.
Lorenzo arrives in Brno in second place in the championship standings and with a confident mind-set after a third place in Spielberg. Thanks to the 16 points he collected last Sunday he decreased the margin to the rider leading the championship to 43 points with eight Grands Prix left.
This weekend the current World Champion aims to deliver another top result to further strengthen his record at the Brno circuit. Previously he secured a 125cc victory in 2004, two 250cc first places in 2006 and 2007 and a MotoGP win in 2010 and 2015.
Rossi also underlined his fast pace last week at a track that supposedly didn’t suit the Yamaha and increased his point-total to 124 points. He looks forward to delivering another strong performance by making the most of the YZR-M1’s strengths this weekend in the flowing hills of the Czech Republic.
The nine-time World Champion has fond memories of previous events at the Brno track. He secured his first ever 125cc win at the Czech Republic track in 1996, now twenty years ago. He followed it up with a 250cc victory in 1999, a 500cc first place in 2001 and modern era premier class Brno win in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009.
The Brno track hosted its first FIM Czech Grand Prix in 1987 and has been a fans’ and riders’ favourite thanks to its great atmosphere and stunning location. The circuit has a fast layout consisting of 14 corners in total (six left, eight right), a 636m longest straight, and multiple changes in elevation to test the bikes’ set-up. The hills surrounding the circuit also offer spectators an excellent view so they won’t miss a moment of the thrilling racing action.
Massimo Meregalli – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“After the race in Austria, we headed straight to Brno for the back-to-back race and we are determined to give it 100% as always. We are back at a track where we can definitely be strong: Brno is a very smooth track with fast corners, which suits our bike well. The team always enjoys this round and Vale and Jorge both have scored great results here in the past. They are both in good physical form and are looking forward to meeting the Czech fans again, who always give this Grand Prix a special atmosphere.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Championship: 2nd, 138 points
“We achieved a great result in Austria after a difficult period for me, so I’m pretty happy to come back with a podium finish. I’m happy to ride again this week at Brno in a back-to-back race. That racetrack is beautiful and it suits the YZR-M1 perfectly. I like the Brno circuit a lot because it has plenty of high-speed corners and I have good memories there. Last year we dominated the race and I hope to have good feelings there again this time round. We need to stay in the fight again and try to recover some more points for the championship as we did in Spielberg.”
Valentino Rossi
Championship: 3rd, 124 points
“I like that we go back on track immediately. In Austria I wanted to get on the podium but I wasn’t able to so unfortunately. Anyway, it was a good race. After the tests we were a little bit in trouble but during the race we didn’t do so badly. Now we go to Brno, a track that we know well and that I like very much. Last year Jorge was much faster than me and I’m curious to see if this year I will do better. We are working well and the Brno GP is close. I want to get back on track!”
No rest for prepared Tech3 duo as Brno battle approaches
Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith head straight to the Czech Grand Prix primed for the round 11 sprint where they aim to compete for the leading satellite position once again. The pair, who finished inside the top ten after what was a tricky weekend at Spielberg, are eager to get back on track and fight as close as possible to the factory MotoGP bikes at Brno.
Pol Espargaro seeks to produce a notable ride at the Czech circuit in order to consolidate his World Championship standing of 8th, as he currently leads the race for the top independent rider in the rankings. The Spaniard completed the challenging Austrian GP in 10th yet fully intends to go one step beyond in Brno with his sights firmly set on clinching a top eight finish on Sunday afternoon.
Whilst Bradley Smith aims to hit the ground running and repeat his expert performance from last year where he ended the race in 7th position and as the fastest independent rider. The British star, who just missed out on the top satellite honours in Austria despite riding at a notable pace in the round ten event, remains fully focused and confident about battling for a strong result on Sunday.
Pol Espargaro
Championship: 8th, 78 points
“I am excited about heading to the Czech republic because the circuit is great fun to ride and it also means that there is not long to wait until I can get back on my Yamaha to do my best on the track. The Austria weekend was tough and we always knew it would be due to the nature of the track, so to end up in 10th was kind of a damage limitation even though I obviously want to complete the race much higher up. I think that the Brno circuit will suit the Yamaha much more than Austria and I am sure that we can score a more rewarding result there which will help my championship position as the standings are getting more competitive all the time. I felt very comfortable on my M1 in Germany and I expect to regain the same confidence in the Czech Republic in order to be straight on the pace on Friday. I am confident that we can have a better time in Brno, and I’m looking forward to fighting near the front on Sunday.”
Bradley Smith
Championship: 14th, 42 points
“As racing is a huge part of my life, I am pleased that there won’t be any waiting around and I’m happy that we are heading straight to the Czech Republic for the Brno GP so that I can get back on my Yamaha and go for a positive finish. I was disappointed to just miss out on the top satellite position in Austria but I am convinced that I will have my chance this Sunday. This year will be the 11th time that I’ve raced in the World Championship at Brno and the circuit will never get boring for me, especially with the first corner which is definitely special to experience. Traditionally, the Yamaha’s have been strong at that track due to its high-speed corners and layout so I am confident that I can use Yamaha’s corner speed to my advantage. I will give my all to clinch a solid result, which will give me a boost ahead of the following GP which is my home Grand Prix at Silverstone.”
