MotoGP preview: Misano

Venue
World Circuit Misano Marco Simoncello

Circuit
4.226km; 16 corners, 10 right, 6 left; much changed from its original anti-clockwise layout, Misano has hosted the Grand Prix des Nations, the Italian Grand Prix and, most recently, the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera Rimini. Last year it was renamed as above to honour ‘Sic’, born just down the road in Cattolica, who lost his life in Malaysia two years ago. Favourite spot: Turn 11, the right-hand lean called Curvone halfway down the back straight.

Lap records
MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo 1:33.906 (162.008 km/h), 2011
Moto2: Andrea Iannone (Suter) 1:38.609 (154.282 km/h), 2011
Moto3: Alex Rins (Suter Honda) 1:44.043 (146.224 km/h), 2012

It will be even more interesting for his title hopes if Marquez can keep his recent run at Misano going. He won on a 125 three years ago and has won there for the last two years in Moto2, but the man who beat him last time out at Silverstone has a decent record at the San Marino event himself. Jorge Lorenzo won the 250cc race in 2007; he was second for three years running when he graduated to the senior class; and his Yamaha has won at Misano for the last two years on the trot.

In fact you could say it’s very much a Yamaha circuit. When the world championship returned in 2007 (there was a long hiatus after the horrific crash in 1993 that put paid to Wayne Rainey’s career, ironically also with Yamaha), it was Casey Stoner’s Ducati that won. But then Valentino Rossi and Yamaha triumphed in 2008-09, Pedrosa interjected a Honda win in 2010 and Yamaha has held sway since then.

Just in case anyone had forgotten, the world champion is also on the up-and-up after pre-summer break injuries of his own: “I feel strong again like I was at Montmeló and Mugello before the crash,” says Lorenzo. “The performance at Silverstone was really good, the only weak point there was the top speed compared to our rivals, but at last we achieved a great victory against Marc. I thought it was pretty difficult to beat him when he overtook me but finally I could get the win and it was fantastic.” Especially for the fans…

It’s starting to look as if Dani Pedrosa’s quest for a senior title to match his successes in the smaller classes will have to wait at least another year. The little Spaniard hasn’t won since round four in France and languishes 30 points behind his Repsol Honda teammate Marquez, with Lorenzo just nine points adrift and closing fast. "I was slightly disappointed after Silverstone as we knew we had the speed and race pace to challenge for victory, anyway we must learn from the mistakes and move on,” Pedrosa insists. “Misano is quite a tricky track and the grip level is always a challenge, but I enjoy riding there. I've had good results in the past even if last year we experienced a nightmare on race day!” Pedrosa is referring to that bizarre moment when the rear tyre-warmer stuck inside the guard of his wheel, which meant he was playing catch-up even though he started on pole. Then Hector Barbera’s Ducati took him off on the opening lap…

Aussie Bryan Staring is desperate to turn his season around with a stronger showing for Honda Gresini this weekend: “The Grand Prix of San Marino is an important event for me,” the West Australian admits. “I know the track well and with this being the team's home race I really want to give everything I can to make sure we celebrate with a good result. I want to put our recent disappointments behind us with a performance that sets us up for the final stage of the season.”

One rider not in the hunt for Redding at Misano will be a former intermediate-class winner there. That’s Toni Elias, winner on a Moriwaki three years ago, who has decided to go and try his luck on the world superbike scene. The 2010 Moto2 World Champion was heading there in 2014 anyway but got an offer he couldn’t refuse after a disappointing stint with Blusens Avintia. He is replaced by exotically named Argentine Ezequiel Isturrioz.

Moto3: Luis not down at heel
Aki Ajo’s Red Bull KTM outfit will fancy their chances on the Adriatic coast. Last year their man Sandro Cortese won here on his way to the Moto3 title and this year Luis Salom is firmly in charge of the title race. Salom was second last year and has opted not to have surgery on his fractured heel as he tries to go one better. Two straight wins in the last two outings and six in all this year have the Spaniard a handy 26 points ahead of compatriot Maverick Viñales. Team Calvo KTM’s Maverick hasn’t won since France either, though his fourth place in that hard-fought British race was his first time off the podium in 2013. He’s now got Alex Rins on the Estrella Galicia KTM breathing down his neck, just seven points away.

This is Australia’s strongest class at the moment and Racing Team Germany’s Jack Miller expects good things in Italy. “For the weekend I look forward to making some more improvements with the bike,” says the Queensland rider. “I think that the track suits my style and will be good for our bike. But we will see what happens Friday.”

Meanwhile KTM Ajo’s Arthur Sissis has also grown to like the Misano venue. ”Just like Silverstone, Misano is a track that I like a lot although it wasn’t always like that,” says the Adelaide youngster. ”I don’t have many fond memories of the Red Bull Rookies Cup rounds there, but last year I had a good race. I hope to repeat or better my performance from last year this weekend. For this to happen, we will need to improve on our Friday and Saturday showings compared to the last GP.”