Valencia, Spain: MotoGP Pre-Race Report
The last race of the season is upon us with the riders of MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 getting underway at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. The initial press conference started with two celebrations, the first being a 25-year emblem to celebrate the sport and the second involving retiring the number 65 from the Grand Prix Corporation. This was Loris Capirossi’s number and he was presented with a trophy to celebrate his milestones in the business of motor racing. Marc Marquez is excited about this weekend in Spain after the last two races did not go as planned. If anything, Marc is looking for some pressure and to be challenged in order to get back on track before he tests at Valencia for the 2017 series. It is definitely true that Marquez has not been able to celebrate the Championship with the wins he could have taken and with that said, Valencia is sure to be a good showdown as Lorenzo and Rossi are aiming to win as well.
All the riders are hoping for good weather and it appears to be rolling out that way so far with no rain predicted in sight. It is going to be a very emotional weekend for Jorge Lorenzo as he departs from his Yamaha manufacturer to join Ducati in 2017. Lorenzo has mixed feelings about his departure and that is totally fair enough. He has dedicated his life to the bike in blue and is finally setting sail in another direction, as he wants to really challenge himself as a rider. If the Ducati performance is anything to go by, we think Jorge Lorenzo will do a great job with the bike in red and make an impact in 2017. He will have Casey Stoner to mentor him along with many other key and influential people in the Ducati team. 2017 is shaping up to be an exciting year with so many rider changes and the new KTM team joining the field.
The emotions will also be running high for Yonny Hernandez who departs to Moto2 and also Eugene Laverty who is leaving for World Superbikes. We spoke with Eugene this week about Valencia and his feelings about the future and we really respect his up front and honest perspectives in the sport. It has been a pleasure to watch the Irish Gentlemen grow and achieve success at the Pull&Bear Asapar MotoGP Team and to interview him over the past two years. Here is Eugene’s description of the 2016 season from our latest interview: “It’s been a good season because we’ve always produced our best form on a Sunday and that’s when it’s most important. There have been quite a few highs going back as far as round two in Argentina when we finished 4th. Brno was another fantastic race and then of course there was my home race at Silverstone where I can within a handful of corners of taking pole position. That was an incredible day but unfortunately I was launched off the bike before I could complete the lap!” Overall, Laverty says it perfectly in that “Life in general has highs and lows and the way in which you handle the stresses is a real test of your character. It’s very important not to dwell on things because that will just drag you down. Learn the lesson, put it behind you and then only look forward.”
On the other side of the table is Andrea Dovizioso who is still on a high after winning Malaysia. He feels as though the Ducati has made a huge step forward and is close to catching the Yamaha and Honda bikes. The goal for the weekend is to finish in the top end of the results and carry that momentum forward for testing and the year following. Dovi has showcased what the Italian manufacturer can do and Lorenzo is watching closely although he is not able to discuss his move to Ducati out in the public as his contractually bound by Yamaha till the end of the year. Everyone in the paddock and around the world will be watching Lorenzo closely!
Ladies and Gents, Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa has arrived for Valencia! He is stoked to be back for the last round after his nasty injury and is waiting to get on the bike to determine the feeling with his body and fitness levels. The track will suit him as it is mostly to the left and avoids putting pressure on his injury. One of the coolest announcements since Sepang is that Pecco Bagnaia is set to test a MotoGP bike after he won a bet set with the team. The team agreed to the stakes of Pecco winning two races and he did exactly that and his reward is an opportunity of a lifetime that he will take with open arms. Can you imagine at his age jumping on board a MotoGP bike and taking it for a spin on a world-renowned circuit? Well… you will be able to hear all about it when it happens after the Valencia Grand Prix!
In Moto2 and Moto3, we will see the riders competing for more Championship points and using their track time carefully in order to finish in a way that allows them to jump into the 2017 season with a positive and focused mindset. Every little bit of positive energy can make a difference when you change classes, bikes and teams So brace yourselves and tune in for a superb weekend of motor racing.
