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SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Championship leader Fabio Quartararo hopes to pick up where he left off when the MotoGP season resumes after his summer break with the Styrian GP this weekend.
The 22-year-old Frenchman, who had surgery on his right arm in May, won the MotoGP of the Netherlands in Assen at the end of June, the last race before the break, and is eager to get back in the saddle.
“I am really happy that we are resuming the race,” said the Yamaha rider.
“I had a great time during the summer vacation, and it was good to get some rest, but now I just want to be on my bike again.”
Assen was his fourth win of the season and extended his championship lead over Ducati’s Johann Zarco to 34 points with Italian Francesco Bagnaia, also Ducati, 13 points further.
Yamaha has not had much success recently at Spielberg which hosts the Austrian GP a week after the Styrian GP.
The Frenchman was not on the podium in the two races on the track last season, but finished third in the 2019 MotoGP Austria.
“We know Spielberg is not our best track on the calendar, but I had been on the podium here before, so we know it is possible to fight for the top spots. We will do our best.”
Marquez Warning
Quartararo’s teammate Maverick Vinales, who is sixth in the championship, will also seek better fortune on the Red Bull track as Ducati motorcycles hope to extend their dominance.
Of the six races contested so far on the Red Bull Ring, Ducati has won five, taking their 50th MotoGP victory here last year with Andrea Dovizioso.
Ducati also had nine podiums on the Austrian track, the most recent with Jack Miller finishing second at the Styrian GP last year.
This dominance may help Bagnaia, who was forced to miss last year’s two races in Austria after injuring his right leg in the Czech Republic.
“This long five week break has really helped me recharge my batteries, and now I’m ready for the second half of the season,” said the Italian.
One rider everyone will be looking over their shoulder is six-time champion Marc Marquez, who has ridden below full capacity since returning from a nine-month layoff due to an injury at Portimao earlier This year.
“I enjoyed the summer vacation, was able to relax with my friends and family and enjoy it,” said the 28-year-old who reminded rivals of his powers with a sensational Sachsenring victory he there are two races.
“It was good not only for the mind but also for the body and I feel better and stronger.
“I was able to increase my training, spend more time on the bikes and even come back to motocross.”
Marquez is 10th in the standings and he’s unlikely to fight for a seventh title, but the Honda rider is excited to see the fans back in the stands.
“We know that the situation on the right track will still not be easy and we must continue to work and stay focused.”
Another familiar face to Spielberg will be Dani Pedrosa who will come out of retirement at the age of 35 to ride for KTM.
Pedrosa, who won three world titles in lower categories and finished second overall in 13 seasons, retired at the end of 2018.
He worked as a development driver for KTM.
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