British MotoGP riders look forward to home British Grand Prix at Silverstone
With the final third of the season approaching, Silverstone is making its final preparations ahead of this year’s Hertz British Grand Prix, the next round of the 2014 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship.
Britain’s MotoGP™ riders Bradley Smith, Cal Crutchlow, Scott Redding, Michael Laverty and Leon Camier – who is confirmed to step in for the injured Nicky Hayden – are all relishing the opportunity to return to their home circuit and race in front of the passionate Silverstone crowd.
The British Grand Prix, taking place over the weekend of 29-31 August, is the UK’s flagship motorcycle racing event, and with five British riders lining up on the famous Silverstone start grid the weekend guarantees huge interest from local fans.
As well as the five Brits flying the Union Jack flag in the premier class, there is also a wealth of young British riders who will be pushing to impress the home fans in the Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes, which provide incredible wheel-to-wheel on track battles.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to see the masterful Marc Márquez in action as he attempts to win the British Grand Prix for the first time. However, Jorge Lorenzo will be desperate for a repeat of last year’s Silverstone win, while Dani Pedrosa and the legendary Valentino Rossi will also be pushing for glory on Silverstone’s legendary high-speed circuit.
The home crowd will have plenty to cheer about at Silverstone with all five riders looking forward to their home race.
Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team: “Silverstone for me is always a special occasion, as the circuit is not far from my hometown of Oxford, so I have a great deal of local support. Having grown up visiting the circuit to watch the various events that Silverstone holds, and now being able to race a MotoGP bike on it is something that I will always cherish. The track is so unique, with fast and flowing turns and I personally find it so much fun to ride. I hope to put in a strong result, and I can’t wait to compete in front of my home crowd.”
Cal Crutchlow, Ducati Team: “So the time of the season has come, where I get to compete in front of my home fans at the Silverstone MotoGP. I really like this circuit and am hoping to have a good result at the race this year. I have had some of my most euphoric results here too! Win, lose or not race the crowd has always been fantastic to me and I look forward to that again. Competing in front of my home crowd is always special and the support and energy they give me definitely pushes me even harder. I will once again give my all and I hope to give the British fans something to cheer about.”
Scott Redding, GO&FUN Honda Gresini Team: “Your home race is always special and I obviously have happy memories of winning the Moto2 British Grand Prix at Silverstone last year. This year will be a bit different, because it will be my first home race in the premier MotoGP class and I’m really looking forward to it. The support the British riders get from the home crowd is incredible and, for me, one of the best parts of the whole weekend is getting to meet the British fans in person. Silverstone is a power track, which is not ideal for us, but we’ll see how it goes. The aim, as always, is to finish as the top open class Honda.”
