2019 MotoGP preview: Rd12, Silverstone

MotoGP resumes at the iconic British Grand Prix this weekend, returning to a Silverstone circuit that has been freshly resurfaced, and with no sign of dreaded wet weather.

In the wake of last year’s disastrous cancellation of the event, forced by a newly resurfaced track that failed to clear standing water, riders will hit the circuit from tonight with a fresh asphalt layout potentially capable of netting a sub 2-minute record lap.

As with 2018, HRC Repsol’s Marc Marquez is again considered the man to beat leading into Silverstone, even withstanding Andrea Dovizioso’s thrilling last-corner pass last time out in Austria, the Ducati star’s first win of the season since Qatar.

“Marquez holds a 58-point lead in the championship, and hopes to capitalise on his dominant season again in the UK.

“It’s a circuit I like, one of our weak points on this race track was the bumps but looks like they’ve resurfaced in a good way, it looks nice from a bicycle!” the five-time MotoGP champion said.

“We saw last year in practice Maverick Viñales was fast, all the Yamaha riders were fast, but we weren’t far away. I think this year with the new surface it will be different, we need to understand the tyres, the grip, the level of our bike…we have a better engine this year and here it will be a small help.

“Of course Dovi will be there, he’s second in the championship and will try to push, but our target is to finish on the podium and get points for the championship. The forecast looks nice so we’ll keep going!”

Dovizioso, fresh from his Austrian triumph, was visibly buoyed during Thursday’s press conference. The Italian is the most recent MotoGP winner at Silverstone, too, having won in 2017.

“Austria was amazing, a really nice battle from the first lap to the end with Marc, so we are so happy about that, we needed that victory,” Dovi said.

“I’m happy to be here, I think it’s one of the best races in the championship, the track is really nice. Hopefully without bumps it will be even nicer so I’m excited to try the new asphalt.”

Dovizioso also spoke about a certain affinity for Donington, the place of his first premier class victory and a circuit he has performed regularly well at.

“I don’t like the weather so much! But I have always had good luck in this country, I’ve been pretty fast in England most of the time, I don’t know why. Donington was a special track and a special first victory but in Silverstone I’ve always felt good, it’s a really difficult track but I enjoy riding here.”

Staying with Ducati, Jack Miller returns to Silverstone with a freshly signed Pramac contract in his hands. The Australian extended for a further 12 months with the satellite outfit in spite of swirling rumours around Jorge Lorenzo pinching his seat next year.

Miller said the recent signing allowed him to concentrate on racing again. Miller was on track for back-to-back MotoGP podiums in Austria before crashing out.

“I’m definitely coming into this weekend with a different mindset that’s for sure,” Miller said. “This Thursday has been easier, let’s just say that.

“I had a chance to make it back to back podiums last weekend, I had really strong pace all weekend but threw it away a bit too early.

“Had a good feeling this weekend last year, hopefully this year is a lot better and as the boys said the asphalt should be amazing, we’ve heard some decent reviews about the asphalt so I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and I think it’s shaping up to be a great weekend.”

Hometown hero Cal Crutchlow will be another to watch in Silverstone, where he will fittingly start his 150th premier class race.

“I only got told at the last race that it would be my 150th Grand Prix start – I didn’t think I’d done 150 Grands Prix and I definitely haven’t finished 150! I’m looking forward to it, Silverstone is a good race for me, I’ll give my all for the 20-lap race,” Crutchlow said.

Yamaha’s factory stars, Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales, remain encouraged by the YZR-M1’s recent progress, with Yamaha filling third, fourth and fifth in the standings last time out in Austria.

Rossi said a podium finish “was his target” for the weekend.

Meantime in Moto2, Australian Remy Gardner has vowed to turn around from a disappointing crash while fighting for the lead at the Austrian Grand Prix earlier in the month. Silverstone is the venue for Gardner’s maiden Moto2 pole position last year.

The Silverstone MotoGP race will be broadcast on 10 Bold this Sunday from 9.30pm AEST, while Fox Sports will telecast their coverage from 6:00pm Friday.