MotoGP Misano: Lorenzo – Marquez, the challenge continues

In the pre-GP press conference on Thursday in Misano as well as Valentino Rossi, Livio Suppo (Team Principal), Andrea Iannone, Jorge Lorenzo, world championship leader Marc Marquez and Lin Jarvis, from Yamaha, were also present. The two are separated in the standings by 39 points and had reached the podium at Silverstone. The winner was the Majorcan from Yamaha, while the world championship leader finished just 81 thousandths behind him, despite the dislocated shoulder suffered in the warm up of the British round.

“This weekend we will have the new seamless gearbox available and it will certainly help – said Jorge Lorenzo – When we tested it in Brno it gave us a surplus on driving rather than on lap performance, so it will be important especially in race, when the tires lose grip and make the bike move more. As far as Misano is concerned, I have to say that my relationship is excellent, I have always been on the podium and last year and the previous year I won."

“I don't know what to expect from this race with the MotoGP – said Marc Marquez – The Misano circuit is completely different from that of Silverstone, so we'll see. As for my injured shoulder, I have to say that I'm almost 100%, so it shouldn't be a problem this weekend.”

The others then spoke, here's what they said

“This year has been a very difficult season for me, I've had many injuries – said Andrea Iannone – The biggest one was the shoulder one and in fact the last three races have been very difficult. With the help of the guys at the Mobile Clinic we tried new solutions and now it seems to be going better. I think I'm ready for this weekend, it's my home GP and I'll try to do my best.”

“It's a very intense and exciting weekend – he added Lynn Jarvis – Today we renewed our agreement with Team Tech 3 who will have Factory bikes. It's an important renewal, because we've been working with them for a long time. Then there is the new motorbike for Team Forward, to which we will provide a motorbike for the former CRT class. Plus we also have the new seamless gearbox, which our drivers wanted as soon as possible, so it was an intense day.”

“The Honda Production Racer is proving to be very competitive and things are going well in the championship too – he stated Livio Suppo, Racing Consultant – As for Casey (Stoner, ed.), I say it's a luxury to have a tester like him. Usually the test team isn't able to push like the official riders, so it's very positive that Casey is there. At the moment I rule out a return for him, he likes the competition, but not the media and everything that revolves around it."

Photos: Alex Farinelli