MotoGP circus heads to Italy with Repsol Honda Team in the driving seat
After continuing their perfect start to 2014 in Le Mans last week, the Repsol Honda Team and factory riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa are en route to Tuscany, Italy.
Marc, who has won every race so far this season – and all from pole – has been victorious on two occasions in Mugello (2011 in Moto2 and 2010 in 125cc) and suffered one of only two DNF’s of 2013 here when he crashed out from second place with just three laps remaining (the other being a blah flag in Phillip Island). Dani, who celebrates eight podium finishes in Mugello including two victories (2010 in MotoGP, 2005 in 250cc) will be looking to enjoy a better weekend after only managing fifth place in Le Mans and is now 42 points behind Marc in the Championship.
Just 30km north east of Florence, Mugello was first opened in 1974 and at 5.245km in length, it’s one of the longest tracks on the calendar. Through its mix of nine right-hand turns and six lefts – some fast, some slow – changes in radius, camber and gradient, Mugello is one of the most popular circuits among Grand Prix riders, and its 1.141km straight is also the longest.
Marc Marquez
"Le Mans was a great weekend for us and although it may look easy from the outside, it is a result of a lot hard work with the team over the weekend to set the bike up. Mugello is a tricky circuit - one of the hardest on the calendar - and we struggled a lot last year. I had many crashes over the weekend and then crashed out of the race also. Now I have an extra year’s experience and I hope it will go more smoothly for us! I know that Valentino will be very strong at his ‘home’ race, Jorge has won there for the past three years and Dani is also very fast there, so we will need to stay focused and if we cannot challenge for the win then we must take important points for the Championship."
Dani Pedrosa
"Mugello is a very fast track with many long corners so finding the optimum set up and grip is essential. The atmosphere is also very special in Mugello and the weather usually perfect so I look forward to going there and racing in front of a full crowd! In the past few races my overall pace has been good but I’m hoping to improve in qualifying."
Location Information
Located 30km north-east of Florence in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Mugello is a modern circuit with excellent facilities. Bought by Ferrari back in 1988, the 5.245km track has been renovated to a high standard and has a growing reputation as one of the world’s most up-to-date, scenic and safest… read more.
| Length | 5.245 kilometres / 3.259 miles |
| Width | 14 metres |
| Left corners | 6 |
| Right corners | 9 |
| Longest straight | 1.141 kilometres / 0.709 miles |
| Constructed | 1974 |
Mugello Circuit, Scarperia, Florence, Italy - View in Google Maps
Records
| Pole Position | 1m 44.855s (180 km/h) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati, 2023) |
| Race Lap | 1m 46.588s (177.1 km/h) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati, 2022) |
| Race Time | 41m16.344s (175.300km/h) Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha, 2021) |
| 2023 Race Winner | Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) |
| 2023 Sprint Race Winner | Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) |
