Alex Marquez and Joan Mir look to bounce back in Austria

Alex Marquez and Joan Mir look to bounce back in Austria

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Alex Marquez and Joan Mir make the short trip from Brno to the scenic and spectacular Spielberg track in Austria confident they can return to podium contention.

Alex Marquez is focused on getting his Moto2 World Championship challenge back on track this weekend at the undulating and super-fast Spielberg circuit.

The Spanish rider was engaged in a thrilling fight for victory in the Czech Republic last weekend but a crash brought a premature end to his impressive podium attack.

Alex Marquez is now eager to get back to winning ways in Austria on a track that Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS dominated at 12 months ago with a memorable 1-2.

Marquez finished a close second to Franco Morbidelli last season and he is determined to go one better this weekend.

Joan Mir is motivated to extend his incredible record at the Austrian Grand Prix, which takes place in the breathtakingly beautiful Murtal region of Styria in Austria.

Mir boasts an undefeated record in Austria, having taken his first World Championship victory in 2016 from pole position.

He then followed that success with a convincing win last year on his way to lifting the Moto3 title and Mir is optimistic he can maintain his 100% podium record in Austria this weekend.

Marquez and Mir’s preparations for round 11 will kick off at 1055am on Friday, with the 25 laps race scheduled to get underway at 12:20pm on Sunday.

Alex Marquez: 3rd in the overall standings on 113-points

“I'm really looking forward to the race in Austria and even more so after the disappointing outcome in Brno. We had a strong weekend in Brno but no points meant all our effort and hard work went unrewarded. Now we need to improve for the Austrian race and I am sure I can do that because it is a track I like a lot. Now it's time to forget about the World Championship and try to make a good race adding points every weekend.”

Joan Mir: 6th in the overall standings on 95-points

“I am really looking forward to going to Austria and making a great race to quickly forget the disappointment of what happened in Brno when I didn’t finish through no fault of my own. It will be important to get a good feeling on the bike again and try and recover some points to help me in the World Championship. Austria is a track I love and I have enjoyed great success there with my two wins in Moto3. I hope to be as strong and competitive in Moto2 also this weekend.”

Track facts / Circuit of Spielberg (Austria)

Length: 2.684 miles
Width: 13 meters
Corners: 3 (left) + 7 (right)
Longest straight: 0.389 miles
Moto2 Race: 25 laps (67 miles)
Best pole: Johann Zarco (1:29.255 – 2016)
Circuit record: Johann Zarco (1:29.497 – 2016)
Top speed: Tom Lüthi (160.9 mph – 2017)
2017 race winner: Franco Morbidelli (37'39.370)