Terol goes home with small championship lead

There will be no rest for the MotoGP paddock until the end of this weekend as the first third of the season reaches an exhausting climax with the third race in as many weekends. The strong Spanish contingent in the 125cc class remained unfazed, however, as they head for home territory and the Grand Prix of Catalunya. Jerez already proved to be a veritable fiesta for the local favourites and Montmeló promises to be no different, with three of the top four riders in the championship all hailing from the Iberian peninsular. Nico Terol, Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró continue an absorbing battle to be the dominant force in the minor category as the season moves on from the fast and flowing Silverstone and Assen circuits to a more complex challenge in the shape of the Circuit de Catalunya.

Bancaja Aspar rider Terol returned to the podium last Saturday at Assen and, like Márquez and Espargaró, he has five podiums from six races so far. Nico’s consistency saw him return to the top of the standings last weekend despite not winning since the opening race in Qatar, a statistic he will be aiming to put right this Sunday at the home of his two Catalan rivals.

Nico Terol: “Montmeló is a circuit that I love and it has been kind to me in the past. I know it perfectly well and it is the second home race of the season so I suppose all the Spaniards will be looking to do well, but especially Márquez and Espargaró because they are Catalans. We set a really impressive pace during practice and the race last weekend and it has become clear that there is a group of four or five riders in the 125cc class that are at a really high level. I suppose we’ll see the same kind of thing again in a few days’ time at Montmeló. We will have to stay very focused to make sure that we don’t drop off the pace at any point and stay up at the front at all times. At Assen I took over the lead in the 125cc standings again, which only makes me more motivated – if that were possible. Now it is just a case of trying to impose myself and stay up there.”

Source: Bancaja Aspar Team