MotoGP Pre-Season Tests at COTA: Repsol Honda Team

Circuit of The Americas is hosting Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez today for MotoGP pre-season testing in Austin. Also in attendance are Yamaha Factory Racing Team’s Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, Stefan Bradl for LCR Honda MotoGP and Blake Young for Attack Performance CRT. 

This three day test gives riders a chance to test out the 3.4 mile circuit in advance of the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, set for April 19-21, 2013 at Circuit of The Americas. (Click here for tickets.)

After the first session, in which Marquez posted the fastest lap time at 2:08.651 and completed 12 laps, he said most importantly the track is quite flat; he didn't feel many bumps which is quite important for the bike. In the second session, Marquez completed 22 laps with the best time of 2:07.046.

 Marc Marquez, No. 93 with Repsol Honda Team

Dani Pedrosa also completed 12 laps in the first session with a best lap time of 2:11.445. He noted that sixth gear going into a straight is more like second or third gear. Similar to the first day of practice during F1 in November, the track wasn't "quite grippy" in the morning, and he noted it was "a little bit twisty at some points." Pedrosa completed 22 laps in the second session with a best lap time of 2:07.284, just 0.238 behind teammate Marquez.

Dani Pedrosa, No. 26 with Repsol Honda TeamNext we'll take a closer look at Yamaha Factory Racing Team and see how Lorenzo and Rossi are taking to the track. Follow along with us as we continue to post photos, videos and more throughout the day.

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