MOTOGP BACK TO EUROPE WITH SPANISH GRAND PRIX AT JEREZ
Portimao seems like a distant memory, as the MotoGP paddock heads to Jerez de la Frontera (actually not too far from Algarve) for the first of five European GPs in the next two and a half months. Both standard bearers of Team Gresini MotoGP have won already at this track and both in the intermediate class: Alex Marquez did it in 2017, while Fabio Di Giannantonio only two years ago.
The Italian rider arrives to this round after two encouraging results on the American continent, while the Spaniard will need to find back both feeling and results after the unfortunate “elimination” from the Sunday race at Austin. Marquez, who suffered the rupture of the vastus lateralis in his left quadricep and a ligament stretch, began straight away the recovery process with the goal of partaking in the racing weekend at Jerez.
ALEX MARQUEZ #73 – (33 points – 8tth in the championship standings)
“We are about to get to our home venue, a special track with an incredible atmosphere. It’s not among my favourite layouts, even though I like it and I’m eager to make amends after the disappointing result at Austin, where we had the pace to do well. We’ll give our very best as always and maybe get some extra speed from the crowd on the grandstands. Fitness-wise I feel a lot better, I worked with my physiotherapists to be in top form and I cannot wait to jump back on my Desmosedici.”
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 – (13 points – 16th in the championship standings)
“I’ve always been quick at Jerez and it’s a crucial track in the championship. It’s often said that if you’re quick at Jerez it means that the bike set-up is ready for many other tracks on the calendar. It’ll likely be a hot race and we’ll be aiming at out third top-ten result of the year, while hoping to improve some more. We can’t forget also the test on Monday, a really important one.”
