Meanwhile, Pol Espargaro had gone quickest in the early stages from Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Nakagami. The Spaniard stayed at the top of the times for the majority of the session before some riders stuck in some soft Michelin rubber in the final few minutes, with Mir grabbing P1 with under two minutes remaining. Nakagami made sure the Suzuki star didn’t stay at the summit for long though, the Honda rider displaced Mir to end the opening MotoGP™ session of the weekend fastest.
The weekend didn’t start how Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) would’ve hoped it to, after the winner last time out in Jerez tucked the front at the penultimate corner, walking away without injury. The most worrying start to the Czech GP, however, went to Leopard Racing’s Jaume Masia who crashed not once, but twice. The Spaniard suffered front-end washouts at both Turn 3 and Turn 11, fortunately with both crashes coming without injury.
We have collated here for you the pre-race quotes from almost the entire MotoGP field but unfortunately we are missing a quote from our own Jack Miller. We will seek to rectify this for future rounds but for now check out what the rest of the MotoGP are thinking ahead of this weekend’s Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky.
Fabio Quartararo
“I think Jerez is a track that was better for us, but like I said last year the Yamaha is going well in every track. It’s true this track has a lot of straights, uphill, but a lot of corners so at the end our bike is turning really well. We miss a bit of power but we can’t have everything. We will do out best, the same mentality, we will work really hard to see what our potential is for Sunday and tomorrow and Saturday we’ll be working on the pace. Honestly, after race wins, you always celebrate with your friends but it was quite strange. But when I arrived home, I saw nobody and always with the mask. I went back to see my family but I couldn’t even kiss my mum so I was a bit scared, especially after an F1 driver had the virus. I was a bit stressed honestly so we didn’t do something special, but stayed safe and always with the mask. Now we’re here and we can fully focus on racing.”
Fabio Quartararo
Franco Morbidelli
“My expectations for Brno are high, especially as it’s a circuit that I really like. In fact, I think it’s one of the best on the calendar! It’s a very old-style track as it’s long, wide, technical and fast. Looking at the level that we had in Jerez, we are expecting good things this weekend. I’ve also had some good results there in the past. Of course, this year we’ve got to be better and improve our record there. I think we will have some good battles and I’m looking forward to going there, with the aim of finishing in the top-five.”
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“After the heat in Jerez and the excitement of the first two race weekends, we have recharged our batteries, so we are now ready to fight again. We have three back-to-back races coming up, one held in Brno and two in Spielberg. This means we have to be focused, because these early stages of the championship are decisive, and we have to squeeze out the maximum potential. The upcoming GP is especially important to us, because the Czech round is sponsored by Monster Energy. We have been enjoying our partnership with them a lot, so the team would like nothing better than to celebrate this collaboration with some further top results. It will be a full-on three weeks, so it’s crucial that we immediately get into shape and feature at the front starting from Friday morning.”
Maverick Vinales
“Our objective was to be on the podium, so we achieved our maximum in Jerez. Now we’re going to tracks I really like; I love the layout of both Brno and Austria. We have a great opportunity, so we need to keep pushing and hopefully we’ll find something more for this race and get to the maximum again.” And is he worried about the Yamaha engine usage so far? “No. We’re quite confident and comfortable. We know what our potential is, so we’re quite calm. We need to make it work as best we can, and that’s it. We need to keep going and, especially, we need to be as fast as we were in Jerez.”
Valentino Rossi
“It’s an important weekend because I’ve always liked Brno. Last race in Jerez, we changed something that gave me a better feeling and I enjoyed the whole weekend. To be back on the podium after a long time and a difficult period was a great feeling. So, it’s important to understand if I can also be strong here because the track is great, I’ve always liked it, but in previous years with the Yamaha we’ve always struggled a bit. It’s important to know our potential at another track, with different conditions, and also for the next races after this. In the summer of last year, I understood that I needed something different, so we changed the chief mechanic and we bet on a younger guy from Moto2 with no MotoGP experience. I liked a lot his approach because he was working in my team with Moto2. I feel very good, he can teach me a lot and he has a different way of working on the bike. We needed fresh ideas, and now we need time to work on our relationship and for him to understand what I need. But over these next races we will understand if we’re in a good way.”
Valentino Rossi
Andrea Dovizioso
“I can’t be too happy about my riding in Jerez in the first two races, but in the end the Championship points are not so bad. Happy to be in Brno. I think it can be a better track for us, but it will be important to fix my weak points. We studied a lot this week to try and be ready for this weekend.. We will see during the practice, because just being on the bike you can feel if you have made some changes. Let’s see how the track is because its normally very difficult for the map and the grip. There is a new tyre so we will work in a different way. And let’s see the Yamaha. I expect them very competitive here, but I’m really interested to see if they are strong like in Jerez. For sure, there is an opportunity for everybody. But, you know, every year has a different story and the first two races say that the two Yamaha riders are stronger than everybody else. But, whether it’s just in Jerez in the really hot temperatures. The season is still really long with a lot tracks and different temperatures. Let’s see.”
Andrea Dovizioso
Danilo Petrucci
“After Jerez, these three GPs will be key to figuring out if we can be competitive on all circuits. I can’t wait for the next race in Brno to eliminate the unpleasant feeling left by the crash in Jerez. All the information we collected in the first two races will help us to start this weekend with some clear aspects. Physically I feel good, and I am confident that I can get a good result“.
Takaaki Nakagami
“In Jerez it was special conditions. Really hot, the second race on the Sunday was my worst conditions. I was always behind and it was difficult to breathe. We’ve improved a lot from the first race, now it’s a different story and a different track. Not the same conditions as Jerez, I think Sunday will be hot but not like in Jerez. Nothing special, we’re working hard, the same as always. Marc is not here so I feel a lot of pressure from HRC but that is nice, I’m enjoying this moment so hopefully it’s a good weekend for us. Of course when I saw the data compared to Marc, I always saw some… I can find some special riding from Marc. But absolutely not easy to copy. From HRC side they have helped a lot during the weekend, we checked Marc’s data from the first race and one thing I found that on braking he has a completely different way to stop the bike. I tried all sessions, it’s not easy to understand but I feel that when I saw the lap times it was always better. When I’m riding, I feel a lot more confidence and it’s easier to stop the bike. This is a lot of help during the race, Jerez, 25 laps, it was difficult to not make any mistakes. It was a lot of help. It’s difficult to explain but he has special riding under braking. It was tough and not easy, but we have to adapt all season. Now I have found the best way on braking, we’ll keep going like this and we will see on this track.”
Takaaki Nakagami
Cal Crutchlow
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to racing at Brno, the start of three weekends back to back. Obviously after the disappointment of the injury at Jerez and then not having great result, I’m fully fired up to getting a good result at Brno and starting the three races competitive. The wrist feels good after a week off, so hopefully it will be better at Brno than it was at Jerez. I will work hard with the team and Honda to see if we can get a good result on Sunday.”
Alex Marquez
“This will be just the fifth circuit I have ridden a MotoGP bike at, but it is one I have always enjoyed riding and it has suited my style a lot in the past. We gathered a lot of good information from the two weekends in Jerez so now we can apply what we have learned to a new circuit. Every session I learn more about MotoGP and my bike, I am looking forward to riding in Brno and starting three races in three weekends, it will be intense but I am looking forward to it. I hope Marc can recover well and quickly!”
Stefan Bradl
“First of all I want to wish Marc a speedy recovery, what he did in Jerez was incredible and he showed that he has the true spirit of a champion. I am looking forward to riding the Honda RC213V again, due to the global pandemic we have not been able to test as we would normally so it will take some time to adjust to the bike and MotoGP again but I have ridden the superbike a few times so I know my fitness is good. It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to, competing with the Repsol Honda Team is always a great honour and I am pleased to help Honda. Let’s see how the weekend goes.”
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“Our riders did well at the last race, especially considering the difficult circumstances with Alex’s injury, and they both scored useful points. We arrive here in the Czech Republic hoping that Alex and Joan will be able to fight again for strong positions and have a good race weekend. We feel confident with our bike and it’s a track that both riders like, so let’s see what is possible.”
Joan Mir
“I’m so happy about the fifth position in Jerez. The most important thing after the first race was to finish. I had this on my mind during all the weekend. I think that here we can be a little bit more competitive. The weekend looks like it will be much colder than in Jerez. So, looking forward to it, so let’s see if we can improve our qualifying sessions I think that is our.. we are missing a little bit in that point. But I think if we improve in that area we can fight to be in front.” Mir also spoke about the crash he had last year in the Brno test. “This track doesn’t bring me good memories, like you said, but it’s always been a track that I enjoyed a lot. Riding here is so nice, but like you said I had a big injury last year, but anyway it’s best not to think about that, it’s better to think about the good feelings I have had here in the past and for sure let’s see if we can bring a good result on Sunday to help us forget last year!”
MotoGP press conference
Alex Rins
“Since leaving Jerez I have continued with intensive treatment and physiotherapy, and I’m feeling stronger with my shoulder every day. It’s always different when you’re riding the bike, but I hope to be feeling much better than I did at the Andalucia Grand Prix. Brno is a physically demanding circuit but it’s one I like, and I managed a good result last year so I’m feeling ready to give my best.”
Aleix Espargaro
“The two races in Jerez did not end the way we had expected. The advantage of the long break is that I’m fully charged with positive energy, so I can’t wait to get back on the track. I am confident in the potential of this new bike. The feeling is good, but we still haven’t been able to put it all together. The situation at the start of the year obviously didn’t help us, but I will keep pushing anyway and I won’t leave any avenue unexplored.”
Bradley Smith
“On paper, Brno seems not to be the best track for Aprilia, but with this new bike it’s hard to make any kind of prediction. We’ll find decidedly different conditions than Jerez. In any case, the experience gained in the first two races will certainly be helpful. The thing that the new RS-GP seems to be lacking the most is time on the track. We were unable to turn as many laps as we would have needed to because of COVID and that forces us to continue development during the races.”
Miguel Oliveira
“I’m obviously very excited to come back to racing in such a short time. After the result we got the second last weekend, I feel like it’s redemption time and I’m just very looking forward to ride in Brno, which is a track that I like. Last year, I had great feelings there, we scored points in the race. I feel like it’s a good track for us and it’s also great three rounds we’ll have back-to-back, that I think going to suit our bike. I’m just really keen to start with a good result in Brno and give the team, what we should got the Sunday before.”
Iker Lecuona
“I know that I need to focus a lot on myself for Brno in order to enjoy riding the bike even more and also the work within our team. First of all, of course I need to finish the race this time, which is super important, but at the same time, I also have to continue to work hard and to learn. During the two weeks in Jerez, I already improved a lot, so I hope I can build on my performance there and follow up on our good way to progress further.”
Hervé Poncharal – Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager
“After the disappointment of the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucía, where we didn’t score any points with our two riders, it’s really good to know, we have three races coming very soon. Clearly, the setback in Spain was huge. The expectation after Miguel’s weekend and superb Qualifying performance was very high and to give up without fighting is a tough thing to swallow. The positive point is, we saw that the four KTM RC16 were very competitive, not only Miguel’s Qualifying was outstanding, but also the few laps Brad Binder did in the race showed the great level of our machine. We just hope we can duplicate the same performance in Czech Republic and Austria in order to confirm the potential of rider and machine. Last year, Brno was the last time we were riding the 2019 spec machine, we got the evolution one from the following round, so it’s difficult to have a real base to make any prognostics, but Miguel was quite fast and happy with the behavior of his bike at this track, so I believe we have a realistic possibility to be strong there. The atmosphere and the feeling inside the KTM MotoGP department is very positive. Anyway, we try to put Miguel’s and Iker’s Spanish DNF behind us and carry on scoring important points in the championship. Our two riders are in good shape, feel great and just can’t wait to be back on track. The Red Bull KTM Tech3 team is definitely ready for the next three races and eager to start Friday’s FP1!”
Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky Schedule
“For sure, there is an opportunity for everybody. I mean, Marc won a lot of titles and now he is out for these races. But, you know, every year has a different story and the first two races say that the two Yamaha riders are stronger than everybody else. But, whether it’s just in Jerez in the really hot temperatures. The season is still really long with a lot tracks and different temperatures. Let’s see.”
“It was good to have a week off to rest, before three consecutive race weekends that will be very challenging for everyone,” began the Italian. “Brno is a track that will allow us to take advantage of the strengths of our Desmosedici GP bike, but this won’t be enough because we will have to start strong immediately since Friday’s free practices.
Our essential Marc Marquez replacement is Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso at 3.7M. Yes, Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) has started the season in brilliant fantasy form thanks to two pole positions, two race wins and, therefore, a huge 75 points. But Dovizioso will be a tough man to beat in Brno, and then in Austria too. Dovi took pole position before then taking victory in 2018, the equivalent of 35 points, and last year came through from fourth on the grid to finish second, a tasty 31 points. He’s a risk-free option that is bound to add to his 55 points he’s already secured in 2020, making him the first man in motogp.com’s essential selection.
It’s been a perfect start to 2020 for the 21-year-old sophomore. Two pole positions, two wins. Will anyone stop El Diablo’s onslaught, or will the reigning Rookie of the Year do something that Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Maverick Viñales and more haven’t been able to do onboard Yamahas since 1980?
“It’s just the same as when I was in the Rookies 10 years ago,” enthused Brad Binder, at the track for a promotion. “The only thing that has changed is that they now ride the 4-strokes. Otherwise, it is just the same: practicing the start procedures, learning the bikes and the track, it brings it all back,” smiled the former Moto3™ World Champion and current Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star.
At the Andalucia GP, Fabio Quartararo became the first Yamaha rider to take back-to-back MotoGP wins after qualifying from pole position since Jorge Lorenzo in Valencia/2015 and Qatar/2016.
Quartararo became the first Yamaha rider to set pole position and the fastest lap of the race, to lead across the line on every lap and to win the race since Jorge Lorenzo in Valencia 2016, his last race for Yamaha to date.
In addition, Quartararo is also the first Independent Team rider to set pole position and the fastest lap of the race, to lead across the line on every lap and to win the race in MotoGP since its introduction in 2002.
Takaaki Nakagami finished fourth in Jerez, his best result in MotoGP
Takaaki Nakagami finished fourth in Jerez, which is his best result in MotoGP as well as the best result for a Japanese rider in the class since Katsuyuki Nakasuga was second in Valencia 2012 in wet conditions.
With Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi, this is the first Yamaha 1-2-3 since Phillip Island back in 2014 and only the third since the introduction of MotoGP back in 2002.
In addition, this is the 20th 1-2-3 for a same manufacturer in MotoGP: Honda (17 times) and Yamaha (3 times).
13 riders crossed the line at the Andalucia GP, which is the smallest number of finishers in MotoGP since Catalunya last year (13 finishers as well).
Nine of the riders lining up for the MotoGP race at Brno have previously won Grand Prix races at the track: Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Joan Mir, Johann Zarco, Andrea Dovizioso, Alex Marquez, Cal Crutchlow, Tito Rabat and Miguel Oliveira.
At the Czech GP, Andrea Dovizioso is scheduled to make his 218th premier class start to equal MotoGP Legend Nicky Hayden in third place on the list of riders with most premier class starts behind Valentino Rossi (344) and Alex Barros (245).
At the Czech GP, Ducati will be aiming to become the fifth manufacturer to reach the milestone of 50 premier class wins, joining Honda (309), Yamaha (231), MV Agusta (139) and Suzuki (93).
Fabio Quartararo takes back-to-back premier class wins
With his win at the Andalucia GP, Fabio Quartararo became the second-youngest rider to take back-to-back premier class win behind Marc Marquez.
Rider Age Race
Marc Marquez 20 years 154 days Germany/USA/2013
Fabio Quartararo 21 years 97 days Spain/Andalucia/2020
Freddie Spencer 21 years 104 days South Africa/France/1983
Johnny Cecotto 21 years 194 days Finland/Czech/1977
Casey Stoner 21 years 202 days Turkey/China/2007
With his win at the Andalucia GP, Fabio Quartararo became the second-youngest rider to take back-to-back premier class win behind Marc Marquez
Quartararo became the sixth rider to win his first two premier class races in seven days along with Umberto Masetti (Spa-Francorchamps/Assen in 1950), Gary Hocking (Hockenheim/Clermont-Ferrand 1961), Johnny Cecotto (Imatra/Brno 1977), Kenny Roberts (Salzburgring/Nogaro 1978) and Kenny Roberts Jr (Sepang/Motegi 1999).
In addition, he became the first French rider to win more than once in the premier class of Grand Prix racing.
Fabio Quartararo became the first rider to take back-to-back premier class wins in the same country since Marc Marquez in 2013 (USA/Indianapolis).
Fabio Quartararo became the first Independent Team rider to take back-to-back premier class wins since Marco Melandri in Turkey/Valencia in 2005 riding a Honda. In Brno, Quartararo will be aiming to become the first Independent Team rider to take three wins in a row in MotoGP (since its introduction in 2002).
Fabio Quartararo became the first Yamaha from an Independent Team to win more than once in the premier class since Garry McCoy in the 500cc class, who did it three times in 2000.
In Andalucia, Fabio Quartararo became the first Independent Team rider to take four successive premier class pole positions since the introduction of MotoGP in 2002.
In Brno, aged 21 years 111 days old, Quartararo will be aiming to become the second-youngest rider to win three races in a row in the premier class behind Marc Marquez (20 years 182 days old, Germany/USA/Indianapolis/2013).
Quartararo will also be aiming to become the first Yamaha rider to win the opening three premier class races of a season since Kenny Roberts in 1980 on his way to clinching the world title.
Valentino Rossi nears 200 premier class podiums
Rossi became the seventh oldest rider to finish on the podium in the premier class of Grand Prix racing
Pos
Rider
Podiums
Wins
2nd
3rd
1
Valentino Rossi
199
89
61
49
2
Jorge Lorenzo
114
47
44
23
3
Dani Pedrosa
112
31
40
41
4
Marc Marquez
95
56
29
10
5
Mick Doohan
95
54
31
10
6
Giacomo Agostini
88
68
20
–
7
Eddie Lawson
78
31
31
16
8
Casey Stoner
69
38
11
20
9
Wayne Rainey
64
24
22
18
10
Andrea Dovizioso
61
14
21
26
Aged 41 years and 161 days old on race day in Jerez, Valentino Rossi became the first rider aged 41 or more to stand on the podium in the premier class since Jack Findlay in Austria back in 1977 (42 years and 85 days old).
Rossi became the seventh oldest rider to finish on the podium in the premier class of Grand Prix racing behind Karl Hoppe, Fergus Anderson, Ernst Hiller, Nello Pagani, Jack Findlay and Jack Ahearn.
In addition, he became the eighth different rider of 41 or older to have stood on the podium in the premier class along with Karl Hoppe, Fergus Anderson, Ernst Hiller, Nello Pagani, Jack Findlay, Jack Ahearn and Les Graham.
With his podium finish, Valentino Rossi extended his record of the longest time span between first and last premier class podium to 20 years and 87 days, becoming the first rider to reach the milestone of 20 years. His closest rival is Alex Barros (14 years and 341 days).
Fabio Quartararo was 1 year and 10 days old when Valentino Rossi stood on his first premier class podium in Jerez back in 2000.
In Brno, Valentino Rossi will be aiming to stand on the podium for the second successive time and to become the oldest rider to do so in the premier class since Jack Ahearn at the Belgian GP and the East German GP in 1966 (41 years and 282 days old).
Grand Prix Racing in Brno
First used in 1965, this will be the 51st time that a Grand Prix event has been held here. The only venue that has hosted more Grand Prix events than Brno is Assen in The Netherlands, which has hosted the Dutch TT for 71 years of the motorcycling World Championship, a sequence that stopped this season with the cancellation of Dutch TT.
In 1965, the 500cc race was held over thirteen laps of the original 13.94 km long road circuit and won by Mike Hailwood on an MV Agusta in a time of 1 hour 11 min 23.2 sec. In 1975, the circuit was shortened to 10.92 km to improve safety. The last premier class race held on the road circuit at Brno was in 1977 and was won by Johnny Cecotto on a Yamaha. The circuit was subsequently considered too dangerous for the large capacity machines. The smaller capacity machines continued to compete in Grand Prix races on the Brno road circuit until 1982, before it was removed from the calendar.
The current circuit was first used for Grand Prix racing in 1987, hosting the Czechoslovakian GP until 1991. Brno did not appear on the calendar in 1992, but the event was back on the calendar in 1993 as the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic and has taken place every year since.
This will be the 33rd time that the current circuit has hosted a Grand Prix event, during which time the circuit has remained virtually unchanged. Minor modifications were made to the circuit in 1996 which extended the length from 5.394 km to the current 5.403 km.
MotoGP 2018 – Round 10 – Brno
Most successful riders by wins at Brno
Valentino Rossi – 7 (1x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 4 x MotoGP)
Max Biaggi – 7 (4 x 250cc, 2 x 500cc, 1 x MotoGP)
Giacomo Agostini – 7 (3 x 350cc, 4 x 500cc)
Mike Hailwood – 6 (1 x 250cc, 2 x 350cc, 3 x 500cc)
Phil Read – 6 (1 x 125cc, 3 x 250cc, 2 x 500cc)
Premier class wins at Brno by brand
Honda – 19
Yamaha – 12
MV Agusta – 7
Ducati – 3
Suzuki – 2
Honda’s last win in the premier class at Brno: Marc Marquez in 2019, from pole.
Yamaha’s last win in the premier class at Brno: Jorge Lorenzo in 2015, from pole. Yamaha have had 12 wins in the premier class including six in MotoGP class 2002 with Max Biaggi (1), Valentino Rossi (3) and Jorge Lorenzo (2).
Ducati’s last win in the premier class at Brno: Andrea Dovizioso in 2018, from pole. Dovizioso crossed the line ahead of his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, making it the sixth and the most recent Ducati 1-2 in the premier class.
The last win for Suzuki at Brno was in the 500cc class in 1989, with Kevin Schwantz. Suzuki have had two podium finishes in MotoGP: second with John Hopkins in 2007 and third with Loris Capirossi in 2008.
The best result for an Aprilia rider at Brno in MotoGP is an eighth-place finish for Aleix Espargaro in 2017.
In 2017, Pol Espargaro was the only KTM rider across the line in Brno, in ninth place, which is the best result for the Austrian manufacturer at this track in the premier class. However, Johann Zarco qualified in third place last year, which was the first front row for KTM in the class.
There have only been two podium finishes for Czech riders at the current Brno circuit across all classes: Lukas Pesek was third in 125cc in 2007 on a Derbi, and Jakub Kornfeil was third in Moto3 in 2018 on a KTM.
Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky Schedule
Rossi is way out front in terms of premier class podiums. His nearest challenger is former teammate Jorge Lorenzo on 114, with Dani Pedrosa on 112 and Marc Marquez tied on 95 with Mick Doohan. Rossi’s 100th podium came with both Lorenzo and Pedrosa on the box at the 2008 Spanish GP, the Italian finishing second behind Pedrosa on that occasion.
