Riders' Ambitions and Challenges at the Spanish GP in Jerez

The desire for redemption of Francesco Bagnaia, the ambitions of the world leader Jorge Martin and those of Maverick Vinales, the enthusiasm of Pedro Acosta and of Enea Bastianini. Word from the riders on the Thursday that effectively opens the weekend of the Spanish Grand Prix that takes place on Sunday on the iconic circuit of Jerez de la Frontera, the fourth round of the MotoGP world championship. “Jerez is always special for us Spaniards - Martin emphasizes in the press conference - I want to improve the result of last year, when I had a good pace but struggled to overtake. Winning here would be special. My family came here to watch the grands prix before I was born. But there are also other special tracks: however, Jerez is among these.” Francesco Bagnaia is definitely aiming for redemption on one of his favorite tracks. The reigning world champion has not shone so far. “I am always happy to race here it is one of my favorite weekends for the track, the audience and the whole setting - the words of the Ducati rider - I think we can be competitive as in the last two years. We are facing some problems that do not allow me to express myself at my best, but I am sure that things will get better shortly. We will see if on this track we can have a lot of grip.

Our bike suits tracks like Jerez. The tires will be the balance needle again.” Maverick Vinales promises battle also in Jerez. The Spaniard does not hide his ambitions: “Not all weekends can be like Austin, but the important thing is to fight for the top positions - his words - Jerez is a great opportunity to continue fighting for the top positions. We can be competitive here too. It will be a challenging weekend, the challenge is to express our best performance - adds Vinales - It is the first race of the season in front of our fans and there will be a great push. I also have good memories here because I won my first race in 125. In MotoGP I have never succeeded.” As for his renewal with the Noale house, Vinales emphasizes that he is in no hurry: “I want to wait and see what the other riders will do. Now I want to be focused on the track, I do not think about the future. I want to enjoy the present. Marquez in Aprilia? I had not heard it, it means that in Aprilia we are doing a good job.” Eyes on Jerez on Pedro Acosta. The beginning of the season is predestined, with podiums, braking, incredible overtaking and high-flying performances. “I could not expect to start so strong with two consecutive podiums in the first three outings - his words - We know it will not be easy to continue in this direction, I will have to keep my feet firmly on the ground. It will be beautiful to race for the first time in MotoGP on the home track.”

Definitely optimistic Enea Bastianini: “I believe I can be satisfied with the approach to these three races and the work of the whole team has been splendid. I come from two consecutive podiums and it is a good result. Now we are in Jerez, it is a beautiful track, here I won my first stage of the Rookies Cup, we will see how it will go. Last year here I could not race, I had to skip the race, so I do not know how I will find myself, but we have an excellent base and I am confident.”