Marquez Highlights Silverstone MotoGP Press Conference

Marquez Highlights Silverstone MotoGP Press Conference

2014 Silverstone MotoGP Press Conference

Two weeks ago at the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Respol Honda Marc Marquez’s 10-race winning streak came to an end.

The reigning MotoGP Champion not only lost, he finished fourth. This was only the third time the 21-year-old Spaniard finished off the podium. But with the loss arrived some relief, as Marquez was not pressured about keeping a perfect record.

This news highlighted the traditional pre-race press conference ahead of the Hertz British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Marquez was the first of a few riders to talk, including teammate Dani Pedrosa, the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP duo of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, and British riders Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Cal Crutchlow (Ducati Team).

When Marquez arrived in London Wednesday, he made history by becoming the only person to drive a motor vehicle over the Millennium Bridge in London. Marquez discussed the Brno race, which was won by Pedrosa, and his look ahead to Silverstone.

“In the end it’s the same situation really, of course that day we couldn’t win at Brno. Maybe it was my worst race in MotoGP, but on the Monday we found a solution so it’s ok and we are positive. Silverstone is a great track and the weather looks good for this weekend,” Marquez says.

Pedrosa was next to speak, the Spaniard discussing his stellar performance at Brno.

“We had a great weekend in Brno, and a good test on the Monday. We had quite a good race here last year, I had to recover some gap to the front but it was good. I’m happy to be here and the weather is looking good, so hopefully we can have a strong weekend. At the beginning you have to get used to the circuit, it’s quite different. It’s very flat so you have to really watch for your reference points.”

Nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi discussed the work that lay ahead for the rest of the season.

“I’ve started the second half of the season well and I have enjoyed the races. Sadly it wasn’t enough to fight for the victory, we have to keep working to improve our pace until the last lap,” Rossi says.

“Silverstone is a very long and technical track, wide and fast, I like it. It’s very difficult to learn the lines and we haven’t had the best results here. We were better last year, but it was still not enough. This year we are better on braking so we should be able to keep improving.”

Rossi’s teammate, two-time MotoGP Champion Lorenzo, has positive results at Silverstone, winning three of the four races there since MotoGP returned in 2010.

“I like the circuit a lot and I have always been quite fast here. Silverstone is a good track for me and it’s nice to ride, very fluid. Now, this year everything is improving for us and in the last few weeks we have made big steps with the bike. We are trying to keep improving,” Lorenzo says.

Having growing up in Oxfordshire, Smith is very familiar with the Silverstone Circuit.

“I only lived 30 minutes away from the track so I am very excited to be here. Last year here was my first home Grand Prix on the MotoGP bike. We have 12 months more experience now and I’m a lot happier with the bike. I’ve had some good results in the past and we’ve had some good form after the summer break.”

Another Brit, Crutchlow, who joins LCR Honda next season, is also familiar with the track.

“It’s not my real home GP now as Bradley is the top British rider, so he can have all the pressure! We had a test this week and we found some more settings so hopefully we can get closer to the front and challenge (Andrea) Dovizioso.”

Free practice begins Friday for the British Grand Prix. For a preview of the round, visit here.

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