High hopes for Repsol youngsters heading to Oliveira’s home Grand Prix
Fresh from competing this past weekend in the Spanish Grand Prix, the paddock moves on at full speed to Estoril, for this Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix. The Portuguese track will welcome the Repsol riders from all three categories for their latest challenge. This is a Grand Prix with plenty of good memories for the Repsol riders, who have had excellent results in Estoril.
Despite finishing off the podium at last weekend’s race at Jerez, the Repsol Moto3 riders arrive in Portugal with high hopes. Maverick ViƱales will attempt to fight for the win at a track where he was only just off the podium last season, likely to face stiff competition from Miguel Oliveira and Ćlex Rins. Oliveira is riding in his home race, where last year he claimed his best result of the campaign with 7th place. Rins placed fourth at the most recent round at Jerez after claiming pole position. He will be competing at Estoril for the first time, just like fellow rookie Ćlex MĆ”rquez āinvited to participate as a wild card for the second consecutive Grand Prix.
Miguel Oliveira “We have to forget about last weekend’s race and reflect on things. Moving forward is the aim now. Estoril is my home round and I will have plenty of fans in attendance, whilst my goal there will be to enjoy myself. We will work to be one of the frontrunners. It is a difficult, technical circuit, but also a lot of fun. Riding at my home Grand Prix makes it an extra special occasion.”
Ćlex Rins “Estoril is a circuit where I have ridden just once, but I felt good there. We have to continue working in the same way with the bike, whilst also looking for a little more power in order to keep up with the KTM riders. I am very happy with the fourth place at Jerez āit serves as a boost for the Portuguese GP. Heavy rain is expected there, but it will be the same for everyone and we will all have to adapt to the conditions.”
Ćlex MĆ”rquez “Estoril is a new track for me and I don’t have any reference points. We will try and work like we did in Jerez in order to continue to get good results. I will do everything that I can to get to know track and continue my adaptation to the Suter. We will continue to work with the team to learn and to earn the best result possible.”
Maverick ViƱales “Estoril is a track that I like. We had a great result there last year and this time around we have to be at 100% to give our best. Leaving Jerez with a sixth place means that we have to change our mentality and maintain our motivation. The good thing about having two races back-to-back is that we can quickly forget about Jerez and a difficult race, moving onto the Portuguese round with much excitement.”
Source: Repsol Media