16-18 – Australian GP – Timetables and challenges for the 2017 MotoGP Australian Grand Prix –

Timetables and challenges of the 2017 MotoGP Australian Grand Prix

16-18 - Australian GP - Timetables and challenges for the 2017 MotoGP Australian Grand Prix -

The Australian Grand Prix, 16th MotoGP 2017 race this weekend on the magnificent Phillip Island circuit, should allow Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez, the two contenders for the world title, to sharpen their weapons for the last two rows straight of the season in Malaysia and Valencia… Presentation, schedules, statements and retrospectives: set your alarms correctly !

From 16 points before the Japanese GP, the gap between Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso in the was reduced to 11 after the superb Japanese battle, which finally turned in favor of the Italian driver.

Admittedly, Marquez (winner of the and) keeps a small head start (244 points), but Dovi (233) almost touches on this first place acquired in but which has eluded him since, after being tied in the ‘from .

Duel at the top !

"There are still many points at stake", relativized the Italian (winner of) after his disappointing. And indeed, there remain today very precisely 75, which allows him legitimately to aim for the title of world champion 2017. !

Presentation, schedules and challenges of this Australian GP on the Phillip Island circuit, where MNC was testing the very !

Pilot declarations and objectives

Marc Marquez, Honda Repsol (1st, 244 points) : "We arrive very motivated in Australia after Japan, where we scored big points on a track which is generally difficult for us and in particularly delicate conditions. I can’t wait to be this weekend because Phillip Island is a fantastic circuit, one of my favorites.It is a difficult track because it is very physical, with a lot of fast corners, but I really enjoy it every year and in general I think it is a circuit that is more favorable to us than Motegi. I hope the weather will be nice and we’ll see. We will work a lot to find the best setting and keep fighting for the championship ".

Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team (2nd, 233 points) : "Of course, Phillip Island is one of Marquez’s favorite circuits and the situation will probably be a little more difficult for us. But last year we had a good race so we have to keep working as hard as possible throughout the race. weekend. There are only three races left before the end of the season and anything can happen: you have to try to be fast on all circuits and in all conditions. On paper, we are not the favorites for victory in Australia, but we will fight more fiercely than ever ".

Maverick Viñales, Yamaha Movistar (3rd, 203 points) : "We did our best in Japan, but unfortunately it was not enough. The objective in Australia is to take another step forward for the championship. Phillip Island is one of my favorite circuits, I like it a lot. the track and I love to ride it is fantastic. When I came in February I was the fastest on the YZR-M1 so I am really motivated for the race. The championship is not over so much that all the points have not been distributed, so anything is still possible and I can’t wait to get back on my bike to give myself 100%. "

Dani Pedrosa, Honda Repsol (4th, 170 points) : "Phillip Island is not one of my favorite circuits so it’s going to be really hard to work hard to have a good pace here. Either way, we stay positive, approaching every race weekend like a blank page. We hope that the weather will be nice and that we can use the tires properly to fight for the front posts on Sunday ".

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Movistar (5th, 168 points) : "I arrive in Australia after a complicated race in Japan, but I’m in a good state of mind. I want to work as best as possible with my team to resolve the problems we had in Japan as quickly as possible, in order to have good races again. Phillip Island is a circuit that I like a lot and I hope the weather will be favorable so that we can start working directly in the dry. I feel pretty good after my crash in Japan, despite a little pain. I hope the weather will be nice all weekend! "

Johann Zarco, Yamaha Tech3 (6th, 125 points) : "Phillip Island is a wonderful circuit, I think all the riders love it. I really like it because it’s very impressive to ride there. I’m glad we tested here at the start of this season. season when I was new to the bike, but now that I have more experience I can’t wait to see where I stand. We will see depending on the weather, because it can be very cold in this region in October. I’m going there slowly but the race in Japan went well, like the rest of the weekend, so I have to keep pace and I hope to have a good result in Australia ".

Jorge Lorenzo, Ducati Team (7th, 116 points) : "The Motegi race did not go as we would have liked, but now we are focused on Phillip Island. This year, in the events where we had great ambitions we were not able to make a good race but sometimes, when we least expected it, we made good improvements. In Australia we should have improved compared to the winter testing, when we just didn’t have enough pace. We came back much better prepared. that eight months ago so we must continue to give everything if we want to progress ".

Cal Crutchlow, Honda LCR (9th, 92 points) “Obviously, we can’t wait to be at Phillip Island after three difficult races. We had an excellent result here last year (victory, editor’s note!), So I hope we can do the same this year. I will always give myself 100%, but I think it will be an even more difficult race than last year because everyone is very competitive and the driving is of a very high level in MotoGP at the moment. the maximum on a circuit we all love ".

Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Gresini (12th, 62 points) : "During the tests at the start of the year at Phillip Island, we were competitive and we worked well. I arrive in Australia in the hope of having another good weekend like in Motegi, with maybe a different result in the race. The team and I are doing our best to finish the season well. We have three chances left to obtain satisfaction and say that we have tried everything ".

Andrea Iannone, Suzuki Ecstar (15th, 50 points) : "Phillip Island is a circuit that I love. I hope we will have the chance to have the sun, because we had enough rain in Japan! During the pre-season tests here we had encountered a few small Difficulties, but the pace was very good. The result from Japan gives us new hope. We are enthusiastic and it’s good not to have a long break between races, so I can still enjoy my feelings of Motegi ".

Alex Rins, Suzuki Ecstar (18th, 38 points) : "Phillip Island is an incredible circuit, one of my favorites on the calendar. I am particularly motivated after having made a good result in Motegi, on Suzuki grounds and in front of president Toshihiro Suzuki. We did a test here in start of the season and my feeling on the bike even though I didn’t have a lot of experience was pretty good. I think the layout of this track suits the GSX-RR well so let’s hope the weather will be better than in Japan and we can have a good weekend! "

Sam Lowes, Aprilia Gresini (25th, 5 points) : "The Phillip Island circuit is very Moto2-style, with only one corner where you have to brake hard. The rest of the track is fast and smooth. It really is one of the best circuits for me. I am also optimistic because during the pre-season testing I felt good on the RS-GP. After the good result from Japan, I intend to fight for the points in Australia too, with hopefully a dry track ".

2017 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix schedule

Friday, October 20, 2017

  • Free practice 1 Moto3: from 01h00 to 01h40
  • MotoGP free practice 1: from 01:55 to 02:40
  • Free practice 1 Moto2: from 02:55 to 03:40
  • Moto3 free practice 2: from 5.10 a.m. to 05.50 a.m.
  • MotoGP Free Practice 2: 6:05 am to 6:50 am
  • Moto2 Free Practice 2: 7:05 am to 7:50 am

Saturday, October 21, 2017

  • Moto3 free practice 3: from 01:00 to 01:40
  • MotoGP Free Practice 3: from 01:55 to 02:40
  • Moto2 free practice 3: from 2:55 am to 3:40 am
  • Moto3 Qualifying: 4:35 am to 5:15 am
  • MotoGP Free Practice 4: 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  • MotoGP Q1 Qualifying: 6:10 am to 6:25 am
  • MotoGP Qualifying Q2: 6:35 am to 6:50 am
  • Moto2 Qualifying: 7:05 am to 7:50 am

Sunday, October 22, 2017

  • Moto3 warm-up: from 01:40 to 02:00
  • Moto2 warm-up: from 2:10 am to 2:30 am
  • MotoGP warm-up: from 2:40 am to 3:00 am
  • Moto3 race start: 04h00
  • Moto2 Race start: 5:20 am
  • MotoGP race start: 07h00

MotoGP Australian Grand Prix retrospective

  • Australian GP 2016:
  • Australian GP 2015:
  • 2014 Australian GP:
  • 2013 Australian GP:
  • Australian GP 2012:
  • Australian GP 2011:
  • Australian GP 2010:
  • Australian GP 2009:
  • 2008 Australian GP:
  • 2007 Australian GP:
  • 2006 Australian GP:
  • Australian GP 2005:
  • 2004 Australian GP:
  • 2003 Australian GP:

Tire data from the 2017 Japanese GP

“Even if each race is important for Michelin, Phillip Island has something special for the French manufacturer who is an official sponsor”, explains the two-wheeler manager of Michelin Motorsport: “the Asia-Pacific market is very important for us, so to have a race which bears the name of Michelin in this region is a great honor and it means a lot ".

"Phillip Island is one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, it’s an added challenge for us besides being a title sponsor," continued Piero Taramasso. “We have developed a range that can handle high speeds and fast curves. It takes a lot of grip and longevity, as well as a good warm-up because it can get cold in Phillip Island. Our tires were designed in Based on data gathered here last year during our first visit in seven years and during tests held here last February. Our tires will perform well whatever the conditions, but this test can quickly get extreme. ".

The Phillip Island circuit

  • 2016 winner :
  • Pole position 2016 :
  • Best lap in the race :
  • Lap record :

16-18 - Australian GP - Timetables and challenges for the 2017 MotoGP Australian Grand Prix -

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