After a difficult Italian GP, defending MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez and team-mate Pol Espargaro are looking to fight back at home.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Montmelo, in Catalunya, Spain, will host round seven of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship, the Barcelona track a mainstay of the Grand Prix calendar.
The 2021 season presents a revised layout around turn 10 for riders to now master, the changes made to improve safety. The 24-lap MotoGP race on Sunday is sure to be another thrilling affair as the season continues to rapidly progress.
For the first time since returning from injury, Spanish hero Marquez will race on back-to-back weekends.
This presents a unique test for his physical condition and the eight-time world champion is ready to take the weekend as it comes.
Throughout his premier class career, Marquez has twice won the Catalan GP and only missed the podium on one occasion – in 2015 when he fell while battling for the lead.
Marquez’s objective for the weekend remains the same as he looks to improve both himself and the Repsol Honda Team RC213V over the course of the Grand Prix.
The Montmelo circuit is a true home race for Granollers-native Espargaro, his hometown less than 10 kilometres from the track.
After a compromised race in Mugello, Espargaro is aiming to put together a trouble free and consistent weekend on home soil.
Flashes of progress, such as in Free Practice 3 in Italy, have Espargaro optimistic for what the future holds. Espargaro has finished inside the top-10 at the Catalan GP on three occasions in the premier class after winning the 2013 Moto2 race.
“Although our last race was not good, overall Mugello was a weekend with some positives for us as it was quite consistent,” said Marquez.
“We know where we are, we know where we want to go and we will keep following the correct steps week by week.
“In Montmelo, it seems that there will be some fans in the grandstands again, the fans give a great atmosphere, and it will be very nice to see some people in the stands again at the home GP.”
Photo courtesy Repsol Honda
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The most successful riders at Catalunya
Valentino Rossi – 10 wins (6 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc, 2 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)
Jorge Lorenzo – 6 wins (5 x MotoGP, 1 x 250cc)
Max Biaggi – 4 wins (4x 250cc)
Marc Marquez – 3 wins (2 x MotoGP, 1 x 125cc)
Dani Pedrosa – 3 wins (1 x MotoGP, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)
Alex Marquez – 3 wins (2 x Moto2, 1 x Moto3)
2021 MotoGP Championship standings after six rounds:
1 Fabio Quartararo, FRA, Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) 105
2 Johann Zarco, FRA, Pramac Ducati (GP21) 81 (-24)
3 Francesco Bagnaia, ITA, Ducati Team (GP21) 79 (-26)
4 Jack Miller, AUS, Ducati Team (GP21) 74 (-31)
5 Joan Mir, SPA, Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 65 (-40)
6 Maverick Viñales, SPA, Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) 64 (-41)
7 Aleix Espargaro, SPA, Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 44 (-61)
8 Brad Binder, RSA, Red Bull KTM (RC16) 35 (-70)
9 Franco Morbidelli, ITA, Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) 33 (-72)
10 Miguel Oliveira, POR, Red Bull KTM (RC16) 29 (-76)
11 Pol Espargaro, SPA, Repsol Honda (RC213V) 29 (-76)
12 Takaaki Nakagami, JPN, LCR Honda (RC213V) 28 (-77)
13 Alex Rins, SPA, Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 23 (-82)
14 Danilo Petrucci, ITA, KTM Tech3 (RC16) 23 (-82)
15 Alex Marquez, SPA, LCR Honda (RC213V) 20 (-85)
16 Enea Bastianini, ITA, Avintia Ducati (GP19) 20 (-85)
17 Jorge Martin, SPA, Pramac Ducati (GP21) 17 (-88)
18 Marc Marquez, SPA, Repsol Honda (RC213V) 16 (-89)
19 Valentino Rossi, ITA, Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) 15 (-90)
20 Iker Lecuona, SPA, KTM Tech3 (RC16) 13 (-92)
21 Stefan Bradl, GER, HRC (RC213V) 11 (-94)
22 Luca Marini, ITA, Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19) 9 (-96)
23 Michele Pirro, ITA, Pramac Ducati (GP21) 3 (-102)
24 Lorenzo Savadori, ITA, Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 3 (-102)
25 Tito Rabat, SPA, Pramac Ducati (GP21) 1 (-104)