Rossi and Lorenzo set for Spielberg MotoGP

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This Sunday the Spielberg circuit will host its first MotoGP Grand Prix in nineteen years, but Movistar Yamaha MotoGP‘s Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi already got a first taste of the only ten corners comprising track during the two-day test three weeks ago.

Results – Austria MotoGP Private Test

A. Iannone, Ducati team, 1’23.240
A. Dovizioso, Ducati team, 1’23.680
C. Stoner, Pramac Ducati team, 1’23.865
H. Barbera, Avintia Racing, 1’24.091
V. Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1’24.169
J. Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1’24.194
M. Viñales, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1’24.208
A. Espargarò, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1’24.335
S. Redding, Octo Pramac Yakhnich, 1’24.375
Y. Hernandez, Aspar Team MotoGP, 1’24.812
C. Crutchlow, LCR Honda, 1’24.455
E. Laverty, Aspar Team MotoGP, 1’24.497
J. Miller, Estrella Galicia 0,0 MARC VDS, 1’24.555
D. Petrucci, Octo Pramac Yakhnich, 1’24.602
T. Rabat, Estrella Galicia 0,0 MARC VDS, 1’24.760
M. Pirro, Avintia Racing, 1’25.139
M. Kallio, KTM Team, 1’25.191
T. Luthi, KTM Team, 1’25.705

Having been deprived from their YZR-M1s over the summer break, they are eager to head back to Austria this week to reunite with their bikes and prepare for the NeroGiardini Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich.

Lorenzo booked steady progress during the first testing days in Spielberg and he aims to build on the already promising set up of his bike this week to make a strong comeback at the start of the second half of the season. Being in second place with a 48-point gap to close to the leader in the championship standings, the current World Champion’s fighting spirit is as strong as ever and he is determined to give his all during the rest of the season.

Teammate Rossi had already ridden at the circuit before and secured his first ever podium at the Red Bull Ring for a third place in the 125cc class in 1996. This weekend he aims to visit the Austrian rostrum again and reduce the current 59-point margin to first place in the championship rankings. The summer break gave the nine-times World Champion time to unwind so he returns to the scene ready for action.

The Red Bull Ring – Spielberg circuit was originally built in 1969 and was rebuilt in 1996 to the track-layout it still has today. Its unique design of three left and seven right corners and a 626m longest straight puts the emphasis on top speed, acceleration and braking stability, which allows the riders plenty of opportunities to fully open the throttle and put on a show for the Austrian fans.

Michelin on the Red Bull Ring challenge at Spielberg

Jorge Lorenzo – 2nd in Championship on 122 points

“After the summer break we get back into action in Spielberg, a place we were able to check out for the first time three weeks ago during a two-days-test. I spent a few days’ time on the Balearic Islands to relax but then I started to train again to get in the best shape to face the second half of the season. It’s true that the situation is difficult because Marc is slightly ahead in the championship but we will do our best, as every year, to try and cut the distance. We will keep fighting until the end of the championship!”

Valentino Rossi – 3rd in Championship on 111 points

“It was a long break. I certainly rested a lot! I went on holiday but I continued to train. Now, however, I really want to get back on the track and do my best in this second half of the season. We have done good races up to this point. Some of them could have been better but we have proven that we‘re fast. The Austrian circuit is very nice and the tests went pretty well. The two long straights don‘t help us much, but during the race weekend we still have time to improve. We will do our best to get onto the podium.”

Massimo Meregalli – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director

“We arrive in Austria with renewed energy after the summer break. We needed the time off to recharge our batteries and now we‘re looking forward to going back on track after a period of rest. It’s always exciting to race at a circuit where we have no prior experience other than the two-day test held three weeks ago. Though we already determined that the track‘s lay-out might not play into Yamaha‘s strengths, we made good progress in finding a basic setting and we‘re looking forward to challenge at the front. Jorge and Vale have spent a large part of their time off on physical fitness training and preparing for the races to come. They are both in a good shape, so we feel ready to tackle the next nine rounds.”